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Blood and Water
"Jay needed so many things. He needed Maia to be well. He needed a cure for both of them. He needed the world to somehow start making sense again. Above everything, he needed someone to tell him why these terrible things were happening to him.”
Seventeen-year-old Jay Harris lives in a London struck down by a deadly virus. His parents are dead, along with half the world. When Jay’s sister Maia falls ill, he must find a cure before he loses her, too. But unbeknownst to Maia, Jay is also sick… and he’s running out of time to save them both.
Alternate cover edition for ASIN B016VIWJAI
Seventeen-year-old Jay Harris lives in a London struck down by a deadly virus. His parents are dead, along with half the world. When Jay’s sister Maia falls ill, he must find a cure before he loses her, too. But unbeknownst to Maia, Jay is also sick… and he’s running out of time to save them both.
Alternate cover edition for ASIN B016VIWJAI
199 pages, ebook
Published October 18, 2015
16 people are currently reading
200 people want to read
About the author
Briana Morgan
26 books337 followersBriana Morgan is a horror writer, editor, and author of The Tricker-Treater and Other Stories, which won a Godless 666 Award for Best Audiobook. With more than a decade of experience scaring herself and others, Briana has a fresh voice that shines through in her latest book, The Reyes Incident, which has sold more than 16,000 copies to date. Her other books include Mouth Full of Ashes, Unboxed: A Play, and more.
Briana has a BA in English and Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University. She is also an active member of the Horror Writers Association. When not writing, Briana loves reading disturbing fiction, playing video games, and traveling with her husband.
Briana has a BA in English and Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University. She is also an active member of the Horror Writers Association. When not writing, Briana loves reading disturbing fiction, playing video games, and traveling with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
August 29, 2019
3.5 rounded up for Goodreads!
This book, BLOOD & WATER is a slight departure from my regular reading program but I felt like after getting to know the author, Briana on social media and learning of her hard work and dedication, I needed to show my support by reading and reviewing.
This is the story of a group of young people who are struggling in the wake of what appears to be a global disaster--a widespread, viral pandemic killing over half of the world's population.
Most of the main characters have contracted the deadly virus and time is running out for them--our protagonist, Jay, seems to have been sick the longest. His sister, Maia, is showing early symptoms. These two are joined by Jay's best friend Sean and his girlfriend Melanie--who also might be in love with Jay, so we have this love triangle pretty early on.
The story sets a fast pace developing the story with clear descriptions of setting & conflict as well as rapid-fire dialog that feels authentic and natural. I love that the chapters are short and end with a hook that keeps the reader engaged; turning those pages.
I will say that all the romance was a bit tedious for me, especially since the protagonists are much younger than myself and it felt a little bit self-absorbed in light of the dire situation they were all in. But it was handled with the utmost care and concern from the author as I could easily tell that character development is Briana's primary driving force. I really do appreciate that because nothing is less compelling than characters you don't care about going on some kind of epic adventure that falls horribly flat.
If I can't invest, why do I care about what happens to the people in the story?
So Briana Morgan certainly has characterization under her belt. Also, she dealt with the symptoms of disease rather well and believably. Some chapters had me feeling sympathy pains for the poor characters as they vomit up thick bloody bile and such--it felt really painful and distressing.
Morgan also taps her reader's emotions. I wasn't expecting that and it was a welcomed attribute of her writing.
Still, my horror heart longed for way less relationship drama and more bite--more teeth--more, well, horror...but that's just me and my endless appetite for destruction.
This was a solid 3.5 read for me, I enjoyed it but only as much as YA and love stuff can, ya know?
I highly recommend for fans of dystopian, young adult drama and romance.
This book, BLOOD & WATER is a slight departure from my regular reading program but I felt like after getting to know the author, Briana on social media and learning of her hard work and dedication, I needed to show my support by reading and reviewing.
This is the story of a group of young people who are struggling in the wake of what appears to be a global disaster--a widespread, viral pandemic killing over half of the world's population.
Most of the main characters have contracted the deadly virus and time is running out for them--our protagonist, Jay, seems to have been sick the longest. His sister, Maia, is showing early symptoms. These two are joined by Jay's best friend Sean and his girlfriend Melanie--who also might be in love with Jay, so we have this love triangle pretty early on.
The story sets a fast pace developing the story with clear descriptions of setting & conflict as well as rapid-fire dialog that feels authentic and natural. I love that the chapters are short and end with a hook that keeps the reader engaged; turning those pages.
I will say that all the romance was a bit tedious for me, especially since the protagonists are much younger than myself and it felt a little bit self-absorbed in light of the dire situation they were all in. But it was handled with the utmost care and concern from the author as I could easily tell that character development is Briana's primary driving force. I really do appreciate that because nothing is less compelling than characters you don't care about going on some kind of epic adventure that falls horribly flat.
If I can't invest, why do I care about what happens to the people in the story?
So Briana Morgan certainly has characterization under her belt. Also, she dealt with the symptoms of disease rather well and believably. Some chapters had me feeling sympathy pains for the poor characters as they vomit up thick bloody bile and such--it felt really painful and distressing.
Morgan also taps her reader's emotions. I wasn't expecting that and it was a welcomed attribute of her writing.
Still, my horror heart longed for way less relationship drama and more bite--more teeth--more, well, horror...but that's just me and my endless appetite for destruction.
This was a solid 3.5 read for me, I enjoyed it but only as much as YA and love stuff can, ya know?
I highly recommend for fans of dystopian, young adult drama and romance.
January 19, 2016
I actually finished this book a while ago, but am only just now getting the chance to write my review!
It makes me sad to give this less than 4 stars; I would have given it 3.5 stars if I could (come on, Goodreads!), and I actually debated over this for a long time. This is by no means a bad rating! :) But ultimately I decided that this was the most honest rating I could give, based on my own experience with the book.
Anyway, without further ado, here's my actual review. ^_^
PROS
- Overall, this book was intelligently written. I felt like a lot of thought went into the emotions and psychology of the characters, and it shows.
- As a result, the characters acted like real people. This is hard to do, given the heavy subject matter and situations these poor characters had to navigate. I think a lot of amateur writers get this wrong, but Briana really nailed this on the head. I could believe that the characters' behavior and motivations reflected what REAL people would do in these circumstances.
- It was a fast and easy read. I gobbled up most of the book in a single weekend. The story didn't need to be longer than it was, so I'm glad Briana didn't add any fluff to make it a certain length! She stuck to just telling the story.
- THE ENDING. I knew a twist was coming, but I still wasn't able to predict exactly what happened. And man, that really hit me. The ending is highly emotional, and after finishing the book I just had to sit there for a while and absorb it.
CONS
- While the characters behaved very realistically, and their motivations were believable, the dialog unfortunately fell a bit flat for me. It felt stiff and forced most of the time, enough to take me out of the story. Honestly, this was the main thing that made it difficult for me to give the book 4 stars.
- The romance between Jay and Dr. Devereaux also felt rather stiff. While all the other relationships were very believable - the friendships, the love between siblings, even Jay's affection for Melanie - I just wasn't convinced of the spark between them. It had to be explicitly stated that they had "sexual tension", but I couldn't FEEL that tension myself.
Overall, this was a solid story with strong characters. It handled difficult emotional and moral issues in a very intelligent (and thought-provoking) way. It was refreshing to read something that wasn't merely cheap entertainment, but was profound and meaningful.
The main weakness, for me, was really the dialog. Like I said, it was "off" enough that it took me out of the story. The romance between Jay and Dr. Devereaux was also hard to believe, but I think if their dialog was more natural, I might have been convinced in spite of my doubts.
That being said, I know Briana Morgan personally (at least, on an "Internet friends" level! XD), and knowing how hard-working and ambitious she is, I have no doubt that this minor weakness is something she'll quickly overcome in further writings. Clearly she is a skilled storyteller, and after this debut novel, I think we can expect some amazing things from her in the future.
It makes me sad to give this less than 4 stars; I would have given it 3.5 stars if I could (come on, Goodreads!), and I actually debated over this for a long time. This is by no means a bad rating! :) But ultimately I decided that this was the most honest rating I could give, based on my own experience with the book.
Anyway, without further ado, here's my actual review. ^_^
PROS
- Overall, this book was intelligently written. I felt like a lot of thought went into the emotions and psychology of the characters, and it shows.
- As a result, the characters acted like real people. This is hard to do, given the heavy subject matter and situations these poor characters had to navigate. I think a lot of amateur writers get this wrong, but Briana really nailed this on the head. I could believe that the characters' behavior and motivations reflected what REAL people would do in these circumstances.
- It was a fast and easy read. I gobbled up most of the book in a single weekend. The story didn't need to be longer than it was, so I'm glad Briana didn't add any fluff to make it a certain length! She stuck to just telling the story.
- THE ENDING. I knew a twist was coming, but I still wasn't able to predict exactly what happened. And man, that really hit me. The ending is highly emotional, and after finishing the book I just had to sit there for a while and absorb it.
CONS
- While the characters behaved very realistically, and their motivations were believable, the dialog unfortunately fell a bit flat for me. It felt stiff and forced most of the time, enough to take me out of the story. Honestly, this was the main thing that made it difficult for me to give the book 4 stars.
- The romance between Jay and Dr. Devereaux also felt rather stiff. While all the other relationships were very believable - the friendships, the love between siblings, even Jay's affection for Melanie - I just wasn't convinced of the spark between them. It had to be explicitly stated that they had "sexual tension", but I couldn't FEEL that tension myself.
Overall, this was a solid story with strong characters. It handled difficult emotional and moral issues in a very intelligent (and thought-provoking) way. It was refreshing to read something that wasn't merely cheap entertainment, but was profound and meaningful.
The main weakness, for me, was really the dialog. Like I said, it was "off" enough that it took me out of the story. The romance between Jay and Dr. Devereaux was also hard to believe, but I think if their dialog was more natural, I might have been convinced in spite of my doubts.
That being said, I know Briana Morgan personally (at least, on an "Internet friends" level! XD), and knowing how hard-working and ambitious she is, I have no doubt that this minor weakness is something she'll quickly overcome in further writings. Clearly she is a skilled storyteller, and after this debut novel, I think we can expect some amazing things from her in the future.
April 1, 2016
An unnamed virus is sweeping through humanity. It's already gone global, and Jay Harris is waiting to die, just like his parents before him, and others are likely to do after. He's been sick for three weeks, but the pattern of the virus is clear: he'll only have one week left, and his best friend, Melanie, is the only one who knows that his time is running out.
Then Jay comes home one day to find his sister, Maia, coughing up blood, and his secret comes out, too. Unwilling to stand by and allow his sister's health to decline—he honestly thought he wouldn't live to see the day—he, Melanie, Maia, and his best friend, Sean embark on a journey to Calais, France, grasping at straws and hoping there's a doctor there who can help find a cure; if it's too late for Jay, maybe he can at least save his sister.
But the charming Dr. Devereaux might not be all that she seems.
BLOOD AND WATER has a freaking fantastic concept. A contagion, a world in the middle of dying, and in the middle of it all a boy who's willing to risk anything to just keep the people he cares about most living a little longer. Jay's character is full of life and conflict, and while he tries to sort out his feelings for Melanie—who's in a relationship with Sean—he's also trying to stay alive long enough to find a cure, which is something nobody has been able to do since the virus first appeared, which was years ago.
The journey? Chase the ghost of a rumor; Dr. Devereaux is their last chance.
Why you should read this book: There's romance, yes, and typical teenage hormones. But at the root of this novel is a touching tale of family, friendship, and loyalty. What do you do when you've already watched your loved ones die? Redefine what it really means to be family, and cling to the strength those closest to you can share.
Why I wish I could give this book a higher rating: Briana Morgan's writing is fantastic; it's easy to read, and she twists a tale of survival and self-discovery with ease. Overall, I love it. Yet I think there could have been so much more. More science, more about the world (there's only five present characters through the whole thing; not even background characters to make the world and environment more vivid), and much, much more about the characters. I hardly know anything about Jay, or Maia, or Melanie, or Sean. Dr. Devereaux's character is shrouded in mystery from the beginning, making her an intriguing part of the puzzle, but from the main characters I wanted to know so much more.
Overall, I wish the novel had been expanded upon. Entire scenes are occasionally condensed into passive, summarized paragraphs, and because of this I feel like I missed out on really experiencing the world of BLOOD AND WATER in the way that I could have.
That being said: it's a fast read, and its underlying themes make picking this novel up completely worth it. I definitely look forward to reading more of Morgan's novels in the future.
Then Jay comes home one day to find his sister, Maia, coughing up blood, and his secret comes out, too. Unwilling to stand by and allow his sister's health to decline—he honestly thought he wouldn't live to see the day—he, Melanie, Maia, and his best friend, Sean embark on a journey to Calais, France, grasping at straws and hoping there's a doctor there who can help find a cure; if it's too late for Jay, maybe he can at least save his sister.
But the charming Dr. Devereaux might not be all that she seems.
BLOOD AND WATER has a freaking fantastic concept. A contagion, a world in the middle of dying, and in the middle of it all a boy who's willing to risk anything to just keep the people he cares about most living a little longer. Jay's character is full of life and conflict, and while he tries to sort out his feelings for Melanie—who's in a relationship with Sean—he's also trying to stay alive long enough to find a cure, which is something nobody has been able to do since the virus first appeared, which was years ago.
The journey? Chase the ghost of a rumor; Dr. Devereaux is their last chance.
Why you should read this book: There's romance, yes, and typical teenage hormones. But at the root of this novel is a touching tale of family, friendship, and loyalty. What do you do when you've already watched your loved ones die? Redefine what it really means to be family, and cling to the strength those closest to you can share.
Why I wish I could give this book a higher rating: Briana Morgan's writing is fantastic; it's easy to read, and she twists a tale of survival and self-discovery with ease. Overall, I love it. Yet I think there could have been so much more. More science, more about the world (there's only five present characters through the whole thing; not even background characters to make the world and environment more vivid), and much, much more about the characters. I hardly know anything about Jay, or Maia, or Melanie, or Sean. Dr. Devereaux's character is shrouded in mystery from the beginning, making her an intriguing part of the puzzle, but from the main characters I wanted to know so much more.
Overall, I wish the novel had been expanded upon. Entire scenes are occasionally condensed into passive, summarized paragraphs, and because of this I feel like I missed out on really experiencing the world of BLOOD AND WATER in the way that I could have.
That being said: it's a fast read, and its underlying themes make picking this novel up completely worth it. I definitely look forward to reading more of Morgan's novels in the future.
July 19, 2019
Quite simple, but interesting (!! with a very chronological timeline) novel. Simple dialogues, great twists, cool descriptions of the heroes. They all are a bit on the same level, and I find it disturbing because seems I liked all of them equally, even evil-ish one (there's no pure evil tho, at least not bad enough/for me).
I liked the symbolic title of the book, and you don't know what does it mean until the very end - so it was fun, keep you turning pages...
Overall: enjoyable read
I liked the symbolic title of the book, and you don't know what does it mean until the very end - so it was fun, keep you turning pages...
Overall: enjoyable read
February 29, 2016
Post-apocalypse + disgusting disease + trust NO ONE + all the feels = this book.
Seriously. Thank God this book was available on Wattpad, but the real question is, why isn't it on sale in major bookstores everywhere? I know this book is bound to kill everyone who reads it. Like this:
And then, we're left all like this:
There needs to be a sequel, too. But I'm not sure if I can handle it...
Oh, and one more thing. The main character's name being Jay Harris reminds me of two characters (named, by coincidence, Jay and Harris) in one of my own stories - characters who are practically brothers in all but blood. So it was a little hard for me to read this book and not picture one or both of my characters in place of this Jay. Which only made things worse for me as a reader and feeler of feels...
Seriously. Thank God this book was available on Wattpad, but the real question is, why isn't it on sale in major bookstores everywhere? I know this book is bound to kill everyone who reads it. Like this:
And then, we're left all like this:
There needs to be a sequel, too. But I'm not sure if I can handle it...
Oh, and one more thing. The main character's name being Jay Harris reminds me of two characters (named, by coincidence, Jay and Harris) in one of my own stories - characters who are practically brothers in all but blood. So it was a little hard for me to read this book and not picture one or both of my characters in place of this Jay. Which only made things worse for me as a reader and feeler of feels...
November 13, 2020
Long live candy-wrapper rat.
December 3, 2021
It was weird reading a book about a pandemic in the middle of a pandemic XD But I've had this on my shelf for years (so long that I still have an old copy!) and it's a short book, so I thought why not.
This was an emotional read from start to finish. It was easy to relate to all the characters (possibly because it's so topical right now - we all know what it's like to go through a pandemic, even if Morgan's virus is a lot more aggressive) and root for them. One of the late symptoms of this virus is gradual, partial memory loss, and Morgan wrote this beautifully when it was probably not that easy to do--I imagine it sounds easy to write but is tricky in reality to get right.
Because of the subject matter, this isn't an action-packed book or a fast-paced one, but that does suit the story since two of the main characters are sick and quickly getting sicker. (I don't think this spoils anything if you've read the blurb and know what this book is about!)
Some parts were a little repetitive for me, but that's personal preference and might be because I have an old copy.
This was the only book by Morgan I hadn't read yet, and I can't wait to read what she writes next.
This was an emotional read from start to finish. It was easy to relate to all the characters (possibly because it's so topical right now - we all know what it's like to go through a pandemic, even if Morgan's virus is a lot more aggressive) and root for them. One of the late symptoms of this virus is gradual, partial memory loss, and Morgan wrote this beautifully when it was probably not that easy to do--I imagine it sounds easy to write but is tricky in reality to get right.
Because of the subject matter, this isn't an action-packed book or a fast-paced one, but that does suit the story since two of the main characters are sick and quickly getting sicker. (I don't think this spoils anything if you've read the blurb and know what this book is about!)
Some parts were a little repetitive for me, but that's personal preference and might be because I have an old copy.
This was the only book by Morgan I hadn't read yet, and I can't wait to read what she writes next.
January 17, 2017
I read Blood and Water about a year ago, and now that I'm getting into Goodreads, I thought I'd drop by and leave a review. I've noticed others here have wanted to leave a 3.5, and I wish I could do the same as well. It's not so much that this book only deserves 3 stars because it's poorly written and has a bad plot, it's just a rating that most accurately reflects my own reading experience.
Characters: Jay and his friends are a likeable bunch who share a close bond and, naturally, their own secrets. I enjoyed the distinct personalities among the group, but there were times that the personality traits created redundant conflict. I was very much into the budding romance and affection between Jay and Melanie, and I found it strange when he started to instead pursue a character who is introduced later in the book, Dr. Deveraux.
Out of all the characters, she was probably my least favorite. I didn't find her personality lively, and she fell flat in comparison to the others, Jay and Melanie in particular.
Plot: The plot starts off at a great pace, establishing backstory and relationships immediately during a suspenseful scene that readers can put themselves in (fear of someone being in your house). It pulls you in and informs you all at once, so the quick progression that follows is easy to keep up with and makes you feel more involved than like a bystander. I felt like things slowed down after the group meets Dr. Deveraux, and I would have honestly preferred to see the group struggle longer on their own and have to fight for things rather than running across someone so early on who offers a potential solution.
Description: I really like the effort Briana puts into her writing. You can tell that she's committed to her characters, soul, mind, and body. The diversity represented in the book is much-welcomed, and she effortlessly describes characters' various upbringings and ethnic backgrounds without using them as defining qualities.
I was also impressed by the way she described the toll of Jay's illness, both physically and emotionally. As someone who has written post-apocalyptic fiction, it can be difficult to find fresh ways to describe an infection and its symptoms. Briana pulled this off without a hitch.
Final thoughts: Blood and Water is a nice debut novel that demonstrates Briana's passion and skill; I didn't get as attached to the characters or plot as I'd have liked, but it's more personal than a direct result of anything the author did. Overall, if you enjoy post-apocalyptic fiction, appreciate minority representation in literature and want a book that balances easy-to-follow writing with an intense plot, check out Blood and Water.
Characters: Jay and his friends are a likeable bunch who share a close bond and, naturally, their own secrets. I enjoyed the distinct personalities among the group, but there were times that the personality traits created redundant conflict. I was very much into the budding romance and affection between Jay and Melanie, and I found it strange when he started to instead pursue a character who is introduced later in the book, Dr. Deveraux.
Out of all the characters, she was probably my least favorite. I didn't find her personality lively, and she fell flat in comparison to the others, Jay and Melanie in particular.
Plot: The plot starts off at a great pace, establishing backstory and relationships immediately during a suspenseful scene that readers can put themselves in (fear of someone being in your house). It pulls you in and informs you all at once, so the quick progression that follows is easy to keep up with and makes you feel more involved than like a bystander. I felt like things slowed down after the group meets Dr. Deveraux, and I would have honestly preferred to see the group struggle longer on their own and have to fight for things rather than running across someone so early on who offers a potential solution.
Description: I really like the effort Briana puts into her writing. You can tell that she's committed to her characters, soul, mind, and body. The diversity represented in the book is much-welcomed, and she effortlessly describes characters' various upbringings and ethnic backgrounds without using them as defining qualities.
I was also impressed by the way she described the toll of Jay's illness, both physically and emotionally. As someone who has written post-apocalyptic fiction, it can be difficult to find fresh ways to describe an infection and its symptoms. Briana pulled this off without a hitch.
Final thoughts: Blood and Water is a nice debut novel that demonstrates Briana's passion and skill; I didn't get as attached to the characters or plot as I'd have liked, but it's more personal than a direct result of anything the author did. Overall, if you enjoy post-apocalyptic fiction, appreciate minority representation in literature and want a book that balances easy-to-follow writing with an intense plot, check out Blood and Water.
November 5, 2015
5 Things to Know About: Blood and Water by Briana Morgan
(This is a copy/paste review from my blog)
1. Blood and Water is the first book by author Briana Morgan. I found out about her on twitter a couple of weeks ago and when I saw that she released her first book recently, I knew I wanted to check it out.
2. The beginning of this book was very enticing. It starts out with Jay thinking that there's an intruder in his apartment, and as he learns of who it really is, the virus is introduced and we're given some more of the back story. It moved a little slowly at first and I wasn't sure where the story was going, but that really gave us a chance to get to know the friend group (Jay, Sean, Melanie, and Jay's sister Maia) better.
3. I always judge books by their covers and I really like how well this cover fits the plot. The title also really fits the plot too. As I kept reading things would happen and I would think to myself, "Oh! That relates back to the title." haha
4. I really enjoyed how while the virus was a driving part of the plot, it wasn't the WHOLE story. The whole story was the different relationships going on between the characters. Sean and Melanie, the seasoned couple of the friend group. Jay and Maia, fighting for their lives and to keep their family bonded together. Jay and Melanie, having secret feelings for each other that they know they can't act on. Jay and Fleur (his doctor), having an inappropriate and unethical lust for each other.
5. I really recommend this book if you like stories with strongly written characters and are open to a surprising (and slightly morbid) plot twists. I look forward to reading more from Briana in the future and I think you will too.
(This is a copy/paste review from my blog)
1. Blood and Water is the first book by author Briana Morgan. I found out about her on twitter a couple of weeks ago and when I saw that she released her first book recently, I knew I wanted to check it out.
2. The beginning of this book was very enticing. It starts out with Jay thinking that there's an intruder in his apartment, and as he learns of who it really is, the virus is introduced and we're given some more of the back story. It moved a little slowly at first and I wasn't sure where the story was going, but that really gave us a chance to get to know the friend group (Jay, Sean, Melanie, and Jay's sister Maia) better.
3. I always judge books by their covers and I really like how well this cover fits the plot. The title also really fits the plot too. As I kept reading things would happen and I would think to myself, "Oh! That relates back to the title." haha
4. I really enjoyed how while the virus was a driving part of the plot, it wasn't the WHOLE story. The whole story was the different relationships going on between the characters. Sean and Melanie, the seasoned couple of the friend group. Jay and Maia, fighting for their lives and to keep their family bonded together. Jay and Melanie, having secret feelings for each other that they know they can't act on. Jay and Fleur (his doctor), having an inappropriate and unethical lust for each other.
5. I really recommend this book if you like stories with strongly written characters and are open to a surprising (and slightly morbid) plot twists. I look forward to reading more from Briana in the future and I think you will too.
January 19, 2016
I really enjoyed this book, and it's definitely not something I would normally pick up. However, it's short and not at all difficult to read. I was hooked after the first few lines and spent literally two whole days reading it.
Briana Morgan's descriptions of the sickness, combined with the protagonist's strong emotional connection with his sister and friends, made me heart sick for him and his condition. I wanted to jump into the book, pick him up, and carry him to a cure. I also wanted to turn to my loved ones and hug them and tell them I love them. It's that kind of book. Not scary in the ghoulish, monsters, zombie kind of way, but in the "Oh God what if this happened to my sister? To me? What would I do?"
There's a lot of blood and a lot of vomiting, which isn't really my thing, but this is total personal preference. I also think the book being very short is a benefit and a hindrance. You could take this novel away with you for the weekend and finish it no problem, but you will be wanting more. I found myself wanting more. Maybe that was the author's intention?
Anyway, I really enjoyed this. It's self-published but does not read that way. The author's writing skills are evident, and you find yourself frantically flipping the pages to find out if the characters make it out okay.
And that plot twist...DAMN. I'm sure my husband heard my heart break from the other room.
Briana Morgan's descriptions of the sickness, combined with the protagonist's strong emotional connection with his sister and friends, made me heart sick for him and his condition. I wanted to jump into the book, pick him up, and carry him to a cure. I also wanted to turn to my loved ones and hug them and tell them I love them. It's that kind of book. Not scary in the ghoulish, monsters, zombie kind of way, but in the "Oh God what if this happened to my sister? To me? What would I do?"
There's a lot of blood and a lot of vomiting, which isn't really my thing, but this is total personal preference. I also think the book being very short is a benefit and a hindrance. You could take this novel away with you for the weekend and finish it no problem, but you will be wanting more. I found myself wanting more. Maybe that was the author's intention?
Anyway, I really enjoyed this. It's self-published but does not read that way. The author's writing skills are evident, and you find yourself frantically flipping the pages to find out if the characters make it out okay.
And that plot twist...DAMN. I'm sure my husband heard my heart break from the other room.
August 13, 2021
It was such a pleasure to read this again after its rerelease and rediscover the characters and their struggles. Morgan's writing style is beautifully clear and poignant and the book provides all the elements of a great story: an interesting premise, intriguing characters, unexpected twists, depth, and emotion. I loved it.
This is very much a character-driven story more than it is a plot story, so the book focuses more on characters and their inner journey rather than external plot and conflict, though there was definitely enough of that to keep things interesting. The author embraced that, allowing the story to center on the characters, and I thought it worked really well. Jay was particularly well-written as the novel's protagonist. The relationships between him and other characters in the story were developed nicely. Since much of the story centers around those relationships, I appreciated that the author did such a great job with that aspect of Jay's character. I easily identified with him and his emotional struggles (and there were a lot of those), rejoicing in his triumphs and aching for his sadness and heartbreaks.
If you're looking for a great YA book with strong characters, this is one worth reading.
This is very much a character-driven story more than it is a plot story, so the book focuses more on characters and their inner journey rather than external plot and conflict, though there was definitely enough of that to keep things interesting. The author embraced that, allowing the story to center on the characters, and I thought it worked really well. Jay was particularly well-written as the novel's protagonist. The relationships between him and other characters in the story were developed nicely. Since much of the story centers around those relationships, I appreciated that the author did such a great job with that aspect of Jay's character. I easily identified with him and his emotional struggles (and there were a lot of those), rejoicing in his triumphs and aching for his sadness and heartbreaks.
If you're looking for a great YA book with strong characters, this is one worth reading.
October 27, 2015
*I received an ARC of this novel in exchange for a review*
Highly suspenseful and utterly heartwrenching, this is a debut novel you don’t want to miss.
Blood And Water handles the macabre with an elegance and authenticity reminiscent of young adult greats like Ksenia Anske and Suzanne Collins.
Cracking this novel open, I expected to find a dystopian story the likes of most. A seemingly insignificant and inexperienced person playing with powers far greater than their own in an effort to save the world from complete destruction.
That is not the tale Ms. Morgan wrote.
In fact, it was Ms. Morgan’s own dark twist on dystopian - the acceptance of an irreversible fate for the whole of humanity - that shook me to my core. The world in which Jay and his friends live is not so different from our own. It is a world that could very well be humanity’s tomorrow if we aren’t careful, and that awareness lent this debut novel a breathtaking realism that simply cannot be ignored.
If you’re looking for a novel that is as though-provoking as it is thrilling, this is the book for you.
Highly suspenseful and utterly heartwrenching, this is a debut novel you don’t want to miss.
Blood And Water handles the macabre with an elegance and authenticity reminiscent of young adult greats like Ksenia Anske and Suzanne Collins.
Cracking this novel open, I expected to find a dystopian story the likes of most. A seemingly insignificant and inexperienced person playing with powers far greater than their own in an effort to save the world from complete destruction.
That is not the tale Ms. Morgan wrote.
In fact, it was Ms. Morgan’s own dark twist on dystopian - the acceptance of an irreversible fate for the whole of humanity - that shook me to my core. The world in which Jay and his friends live is not so different from our own. It is a world that could very well be humanity’s tomorrow if we aren’t careful, and that awareness lent this debut novel a breathtaking realism that simply cannot be ignored.
If you’re looking for a novel that is as though-provoking as it is thrilling, this is the book for you.
September 10, 2019
I read BLOOD AND WATER by Briana Morgan in a day (and it was a work day too, so I snuck it at my desk!). I loved this YA thriller-slash-horror-slash-dystopian story. The world is consumed by a plague, a plague Jay, our 17-year-old narrator, thought he was immune to. However, when Jay and his sister Maia get sick, they recruit their friends, Sam and Melanie, to help them. The quartet journey from London to France, in search of a cure.
I loved the teen angst in BLOOD AND WATER. Jay navigates his first feelings of love as he's in this horrible physical situation. I also loved how the group worked together to help each other, and how they loved each other like family. I was glued to my Kindle as the weirdness and the plot thickened, and Jay had to figure out who to trust. The end is heartbreaking, but hopeful, and you know that these friends have a forever bond that won't be broken.
Enjoyable, quick read, highly recommended for those who enjoy creepy, yet entertaining YA with relatable characters!
I loved the teen angst in BLOOD AND WATER. Jay navigates his first feelings of love as he's in this horrible physical situation. I also loved how the group worked together to help each other, and how they loved each other like family. I was glued to my Kindle as the weirdness and the plot thickened, and Jay had to figure out who to trust. The end is heartbreaking, but hopeful, and you know that these friends have a forever bond that won't be broken.
Enjoyable, quick read, highly recommended for those who enjoy creepy, yet entertaining YA with relatable characters!
February 4, 2016
It is so hard to be objective when you know first hand how awesome the author is, but. Here is a girl who is going places. That being said, however, there is a brilliant current running underneath Briana Morgan's work, and I feel she's only beginning to tap into it. BLOOD AND WATER was a great debut, but great in a way that says to me that there's a growth spurt coming where that brilliant undercurrent will come shooting fully to the surface.
Full review coming soon from MizWriterLady.
Full review coming soon from MizWriterLady.
October 13, 2019
Blood and Water is a suspenseful read that focuses on one group’s efforts to deal with an apocalyptic sickness. It focuses mainly on the interpersonal conflicts caused by a potentially contagious illness, which worked well because the main characters were easy to get invested in!! Emotions ran high and relationships got messy, and I really enjoyed seeing how things twisted and turned while the sick characters fought to survive.
January 17, 2016
I'm so excited to start the new year with Briana's book, Blood and Water. The writing was fantastic, and I loved the way she surprised her audience. I fully anticipated one genre, and quickly realized I was being submerged in another. While this isn't my typical genre, I really enjoyed the story. I look forward to her upcoming books!
June 29, 2021
Blood and Water was a very tense read that starts with a feeling of unease that doesn't let up until the end. It is a very bleak and quite nihilistic story that is quite relevant with the pandemic we've been living through for the past year.
July 7, 2020
A fast paced horror novel with a plot that will make you say 'just one more chapter'.
March 23, 2022
This is a DNF from me for several reasons. The first is the insufferable narrator. He reads every single sentence as if it’s the end of a paragraph, so it leads to a bunch of awkward pauses between each sentence that makes the dialogue sound stilted and unnatural.
The second is the plague setting feels a little too real in a post-plague world. While I consider that a minor issue, the biggest issue is the characters. They’re not interesting at all. I’ve been listening to this for a few days. By that I mean I began this story a few days ago and have found any excuse to pause it constantly. I haven’t enjoyed a single moment of this story. The protagonist is supposed to be nearly 18 years old but cums off as a 14-year-old. I often find this is the issue with young characters. They’re either far too childish or mature for their supposed age.
Normally, I’d listen to a 5-hour audiobook at 2.55x speed in a single sitting, write my review, and be done. This story just isn’t interesting or compelling. I found myself dreading having to listen to it, realizing that I had nothing to say about it for the reasons mentioned above.
Final note, to anybody wondering how I didn’t know this was a plague story; I read based on genre. I prefer to go into a book without reading the summary as I find I have better experiences when I go in without expectations. Summaries are also often misleading or filled with spoilers that take away from the big moments as well.
Normally, when a book is not for me, I try to give a suggestion for who I think might enjoy it but I really have nothing. I’m 16/23 chapters in and so little has happened and even less of note, I couldn’t recommend this story to anybody.
NOTE: This copy was provided to me free of charge as a digital review copy. The opinions stated in this review are mine and mine alone, I was not paid or requested to give this book a certain rating, suggestion, or approval.
The second is the plague setting feels a little too real in a post-plague world. While I consider that a minor issue, the biggest issue is the characters. They’re not interesting at all. I’ve been listening to this for a few days. By that I mean I began this story a few days ago and have found any excuse to pause it constantly. I haven’t enjoyed a single moment of this story. The protagonist is supposed to be nearly 18 years old but cums off as a 14-year-old. I often find this is the issue with young characters. They’re either far too childish or mature for their supposed age.
Normally, I’d listen to a 5-hour audiobook at 2.55x speed in a single sitting, write my review, and be done. This story just isn’t interesting or compelling. I found myself dreading having to listen to it, realizing that I had nothing to say about it for the reasons mentioned above.
Final note, to anybody wondering how I didn’t know this was a plague story; I read based on genre. I prefer to go into a book without reading the summary as I find I have better experiences when I go in without expectations. Summaries are also often misleading or filled with spoilers that take away from the big moments as well.
Normally, when a book is not for me, I try to give a suggestion for who I think might enjoy it but I really have nothing. I’m 16/23 chapters in and so little has happened and even less of note, I couldn’t recommend this story to anybody.
NOTE: This copy was provided to me free of charge as a digital review copy. The opinions stated in this review are mine and mine alone, I was not paid or requested to give this book a certain rating, suggestion, or approval.
June 4, 2022
Hmm this story kind of irked me in a wrong direction… first the main character, he is 17 years old but he sounds much more mature than he was supposed to be, and more brainy if that makes sense, hmm actually he sounds older than his older sister, what he sounds his age is in his eagerness to have a romantic partner, second, in the UK even if he is 17 years old, if someone buy him a beer, a glass of wine or cider, he can drink, during a meal, he just cant go and buy it for himself, but he can drink (just google UK rules for minor age drinks) so, if a friend is 18/19 years old he can buy drinks for everyone in a pub… (yeah drinking rules are different all over the world).
Other thing that irked me was his best friend saying that “of all people he wouldn't mind his best friend having a thing for his girlfriend” (not actual quote but close enough) do you really think people would act this way? Even when facing death? Oh my gosh…
Hmm maybe this audiobook wasn't for me, and I regret that, is not that it was bad written, it was nice enough, just wasn't for me.
I got a free Audiobook copy from StoryOrigin and this is my honest opinion.
Other thing that irked me was his best friend saying that “of all people he wouldn't mind his best friend having a thing for his girlfriend” (not actual quote but close enough) do you really think people would act this way? Even when facing death? Oh my gosh…
Hmm maybe this audiobook wasn't for me, and I regret that, is not that it was bad written, it was nice enough, just wasn't for me.
I got a free Audiobook copy from StoryOrigin and this is my honest opinion.
December 18, 2021
3.5 ⭐️’s for this book. I had the privilege of getting an ARC copy of Blood and Water. Blood and Water is a teen dystopian thriller. London has been overrun by the deadly Ebola 2 virus, which has killed millions of people including their parents. Jay and his sister Maya are both infected. With the help of their friends Sean and Melanie, they leave London for France in search of a cure. They come across a doctor named Fleur who is working on a cure. She starts treating Jay and Maya, but unbeknownst to Jay - he’s the only one getting treatment. Maya is just getting a placebo. All in all, it was a very good book, the characters evolved throughout but I wish there would have been more world-building so I could imagine what the world would be like in that situation. It’s definitely worth a read so make sure to pick it up!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2022
I received a copy of this audiobook from Story Origins. The story is about a group of friends from London in a world decimated by an incurable virus. They head to France, walking the Chunnel, to find a doctor they heard might have a cure. This is a distance of about 100 miles. Could someone who is ill make it this far? Make it they did, but just barely and they found the doctor. The rest of the book deals with their relationships to each other and to the doctor and their thoughts about death and dying. Not an uplifting book but an interesting read even though this is not my normal genre nor age level. It might be a bit intense for younger teens. The narrator did a decent job, but he didn't show much emotion. Maybe this added to the despair.
March 14, 2016
4.5/5 Stars
But I’m going to do things a little different from other book reviews and I’ve done my best not to include anything that could spoil the story for you, though the five words below will be explained at the end will contain some spoilers.
To start with I’m going to give five words to describe the book;
Family
Hope
Trust
Death
Desperation
We are immediately show a world that is gripped by a deadly disease that will kill you in three weeks. And there is no, known cure. London has gone from a nosy and bustling city to a silent and eerie place.
The story centres on Jay, his friends; Sean and Melanie and Jay’s sister Maia. The virus doesn’t take centre stage, instead the relationships between the characters are the main focus. We see how the relationships grow and change as the story goes on. The characters are written like real people, doing things many of us would do if we were in their situation.
Throughout the story we are given flash backs from Jay about the happier times in his life, evolving his friends and family, which is great for us readers and giving us some background information to the characters and their world.
SPOLIERS AHEAD!
Family – Jay, Sean, Melanie and Maia are more than just friends they are family. Sean and Melanie where there for Jay and Maia when their parents got the virus.
Hope – Each character hopes for something; a cure, more time… And that hope is so strong that it pushes them all to make a dangerous and tiring journey to France.
Trust – Jay, Sean, Melanie and Maia trust each other as friends and a family should. Jay even trusts Dr Devereaux to help and find a cure for his sister Maia, a trust that might be misplaced.
Death – One of the biggest themes in this book. We learn that Jay and Maia have lost both of their parents and learned the stages of the diseases at the same time. They know it’s coming so Melanie has Jay make a list of things he wants to do before he dies. Even though he’s accepted that their might not be a cure, if there is any chance of one existing Jay wants Maia to have it not him.
Desperation – Jay sleeping with Dr Devereaux seemed to me, to be an act of Desperation. He had originally wanted to be with Melanie but she didn’t want him. Jay’s relationship with Dr Devereaux does seem to develop more but betrays and death put a sudden stop to it.
But I’m going to do things a little different from other book reviews and I’ve done my best not to include anything that could spoil the story for you, though the five words below will be explained at the end will contain some spoilers.
To start with I’m going to give five words to describe the book;
Family
Hope
Trust
Death
Desperation
We are immediately show a world that is gripped by a deadly disease that will kill you in three weeks. And there is no, known cure. London has gone from a nosy and bustling city to a silent and eerie place.
The story centres on Jay, his friends; Sean and Melanie and Jay’s sister Maia. The virus doesn’t take centre stage, instead the relationships between the characters are the main focus. We see how the relationships grow and change as the story goes on. The characters are written like real people, doing things many of us would do if we were in their situation.
Throughout the story we are given flash backs from Jay about the happier times in his life, evolving his friends and family, which is great for us readers and giving us some background information to the characters and their world.
SPOLIERS AHEAD!
Family – Jay, Sean, Melanie and Maia are more than just friends they are family. Sean and Melanie where there for Jay and Maia when their parents got the virus.
Hope – Each character hopes for something; a cure, more time… And that hope is so strong that it pushes them all to make a dangerous and tiring journey to France.
Trust – Jay, Sean, Melanie and Maia trust each other as friends and a family should. Jay even trusts Dr Devereaux to help and find a cure for his sister Maia, a trust that might be misplaced.
Death – One of the biggest themes in this book. We learn that Jay and Maia have lost both of their parents and learned the stages of the diseases at the same time. They know it’s coming so Melanie has Jay make a list of things he wants to do before he dies. Even though he’s accepted that their might not be a cure, if there is any chance of one existing Jay wants Maia to have it not him.
Desperation – Jay sleeping with Dr Devereaux seemed to me, to be an act of Desperation. He had originally wanted to be with Melanie but she didn’t want him. Jay’s relationship with Dr Devereaux does seem to develop more but betrays and death put a sudden stop to it.
December 4, 2015
Originally posted at Tea & Titles
Um, wow.
I’d been looking for more writing blogs to follow when I found Briana’s blog. I can’t remember what post it was, but the first thing I saw was the cover of Blood and Water and I thought it was absolutely gorgeous. The thing is, I don’t often buy e-books because I use the website Scribd and I think paying for a subscription for that and then buying e-books on top is a little counterproductive. So I was just chilling on Twitter one afternoon when Briana tweeted that the book had gone live on Scribd.
I started reading it about an hour later once I’d done the few things I had to do. It took literally two hours to read the book, and it probably would have been quicker than that if I hadn’t had to stop so many times to remind myself to breathe. I think that probably sums up the general feel of this book. Every now and again, I’ll finish a book that has been so anxiety inducing that I just have to lie down for a minute so I don’t pass out. This was one of those books. I am literally shaking as I write this review, and my mind is still racing.
Let’s try and make this an actual review, hey? Firstly, the characters—I love them. I can sympathise with Jay in a way that I didn’t really expect to. I don’t always connect with male protagonists, but with Jay I could sort of relate to him. I understand his need to protect his friends and his family, and the lengths he goes to do that. I really loved Maia, Melanie and Sean but I can’t really explain why without ruining anything. I can say that they all had a really great relationship which I loved reading about.
If you hadn’t already guessed from my little spiel up there, this book is intense. Really intense. Even just thinking about the plot is making my heart race again. I love a good dystopian/apocalyptic book, but recently I’ve kind of being staying away from them because every one I read was pretty much the same. I was so so happy to see that this was different. There were so many moments I just wanted to scream through the screen because I was freaking out about what was happening. I definitely did not expect this to go down the road it did.
Excuse me, while I go do some breathing exercises.
Um, wow.
I’d been looking for more writing blogs to follow when I found Briana’s blog. I can’t remember what post it was, but the first thing I saw was the cover of Blood and Water and I thought it was absolutely gorgeous. The thing is, I don’t often buy e-books because I use the website Scribd and I think paying for a subscription for that and then buying e-books on top is a little counterproductive. So I was just chilling on Twitter one afternoon when Briana tweeted that the book had gone live on Scribd.
I started reading it about an hour later once I’d done the few things I had to do. It took literally two hours to read the book, and it probably would have been quicker than that if I hadn’t had to stop so many times to remind myself to breathe. I think that probably sums up the general feel of this book. Every now and again, I’ll finish a book that has been so anxiety inducing that I just have to lie down for a minute so I don’t pass out. This was one of those books. I am literally shaking as I write this review, and my mind is still racing.
Let’s try and make this an actual review, hey? Firstly, the characters—I love them. I can sympathise with Jay in a way that I didn’t really expect to. I don’t always connect with male protagonists, but with Jay I could sort of relate to him. I understand his need to protect his friends and his family, and the lengths he goes to do that. I really loved Maia, Melanie and Sean but I can’t really explain why without ruining anything. I can say that they all had a really great relationship which I loved reading about.
If you hadn’t already guessed from my little spiel up there, this book is intense. Really intense. Even just thinking about the plot is making my heart race again. I love a good dystopian/apocalyptic book, but recently I’ve kind of being staying away from them because every one I read was pretty much the same. I was so so happy to see that this was different. There were so many moments I just wanted to scream through the screen because I was freaking out about what was happening. I definitely did not expect this to go down the road it did.
Excuse me, while I go do some breathing exercises.
June 13, 2020
A Good Look at Human Nature
Every so often, I decide to pick up a book outside of my usual preferences. This time, I decided to delve into a horror novel, and Blood and Water was my selection. Its compelling relationships and myriad of emotions are shockingly raw, and I was drawn in immediately. Briana Morgan has made a world that’s similar to ours in many ways. Especially now, with the Coronavirus raging around the world, we can see how horrifying pandemics can truly be.
In Blood and Water, Ebola-II is raging around the world, leaving death, sorrow, and copious amounts of blood in its wake. Enter Jay, a boy who has contracted the disease. Jay is resigned to his fate, keeping the truth from his remaining friends and family, but everything changes when he discovers that his sister has contracted it, too. So, with friends and sister in tow, he goes for the only option left to them and heads to one of the only people who can help them find a cure.
Things get complicated as emotions run high, passion is stirred, and relationships are tested. Time is short for Jay and his sister, and the doctor seems to be keeping things from her new patients. Maia is getting sicker much faster than usual, and Jay’s friends are angry and afraid. Everything begins to unravel for all involved. Is there any hope left?
This book has an interesting plot, great characters, and is a picture of humanity in its good and bad states. My only issue is that sometimes the emotions are too fragmented, thus leading to confusion. Still, if you like a slightly-apocalyptic book about a pandemic and the tattered hopes of a group of friends, this is the book for you.
Every so often, I decide to pick up a book outside of my usual preferences. This time, I decided to delve into a horror novel, and Blood and Water was my selection. Its compelling relationships and myriad of emotions are shockingly raw, and I was drawn in immediately. Briana Morgan has made a world that’s similar to ours in many ways. Especially now, with the Coronavirus raging around the world, we can see how horrifying pandemics can truly be.
In Blood and Water, Ebola-II is raging around the world, leaving death, sorrow, and copious amounts of blood in its wake. Enter Jay, a boy who has contracted the disease. Jay is resigned to his fate, keeping the truth from his remaining friends and family, but everything changes when he discovers that his sister has contracted it, too. So, with friends and sister in tow, he goes for the only option left to them and heads to one of the only people who can help them find a cure.
Things get complicated as emotions run high, passion is stirred, and relationships are tested. Time is short for Jay and his sister, and the doctor seems to be keeping things from her new patients. Maia is getting sicker much faster than usual, and Jay’s friends are angry and afraid. Everything begins to unravel for all involved. Is there any hope left?
This book has an interesting plot, great characters, and is a picture of humanity in its good and bad states. My only issue is that sometimes the emotions are too fragmented, thus leading to confusion. Still, if you like a slightly-apocalyptic book about a pandemic and the tattered hopes of a group of friends, this is the book for you.
July 1, 2019
I wish I could give This half stars, as I enjoyed it more than a 3 indicates, but a 4 seemed slightly too much.
This was a fun little thriller to read, especially after not having the energy or time to read for over a month. I devoured it in just two days and definitely enjoyed the twists, though I saw a few of them coming. I am so curious as to what happens to the characters who survive after the end of the book.
My main gripe is that there are a few small inconsistencies throughout the book. They aren't really important to the plot, but I found them rather distracting and even went back a few times to double check what I had read previously. Then another tiny gripe was that it had some twists that I thought were very obvious, but often, I enjoyed them anyway still.
This book does deal with a very toxic relationship, but it doesn't reveal some of the details of why it's so bad until later on in the book, and that was making me rather uncomfortable for a while, as I couldn't tell how much it would be shown as an unhealthy relationship. Though I do think the POV made it more difficult to show the toxicity earlier on.
TW: Grooming, Statutory rape, fatal illness, vomit, animal death, loss of loved ones.
This was a fun little thriller to read, especially after not having the energy or time to read for over a month. I devoured it in just two days and definitely enjoyed the twists, though I saw a few of them coming. I am so curious as to what happens to the characters who survive after the end of the book.
My main gripe is that there are a few small inconsistencies throughout the book. They aren't really important to the plot, but I found them rather distracting and even went back a few times to double check what I had read previously. Then another tiny gripe was that it had some twists that I thought were very obvious, but often, I enjoyed them anyway still.
This book does deal with a very toxic relationship, but it doesn't reveal some of the details of why it's so bad until later on in the book, and that was making me rather uncomfortable for a while, as I couldn't tell how much it would be shown as an unhealthy relationship. Though I do think the POV made it more difficult to show the toxicity earlier on.
TW: Grooming, Statutory rape, fatal illness, vomit, animal death, loss of loved ones.
November 1, 2015
Not exactly the kind of book that I would normally read; however, I decided to sneak this into my TBR for a quick read before the end of October. A fascinating look into a world in the near future in the midst of a pandemic that leaves few survivors behind. We tag along a group as they try to escape the plague. I couldn't get into the characters plight at first, but as the story progressed things started moving along quite well. As a reader of many things dystopic this was right up my alley. Although I felt that this world could be explored much more, what we experience is a brief peek into the world at large being ravaged by a uncurable disease. This is more of a 3.5 star for me, some of the action was drowned out by the dialogue and the scope of the story could have been cast a bit wider. I hope that this is the first of more stories in this world, the premise and characters have much more to tell. I loved the fact that this book was written in such as way that I was able to finish it in a couple hours, I felt that the cadence was hitting a good stride and was consistent throughout. The real downside was that there could have been more to this novel.
June 14, 2017
A good quick read. Morgan's BLOOD AND WATER is a fresh narrative on human desperation. The characters face death or death in a world with a fatal disease with no cure, yet they will do everything possible to save themselves anyway. The main character, Jay, isn't perfect which is always nice. He believes that keeping the fact that he is sick a secret, he'll spare the feelings of his friends and family, however, in reality, I think he is afraid that he'll scare them away in the days he needs them most. I found some of Jay's inner monologue redundant and the plot a little rushed. The twist would have had more of an impact if there was more time spent on inter-character development. Overall, I enjoyed the events and the way the story played out. This will be one that sticks with me for sure.
July 7, 2020
I bought this book at the start of quarantine. I put the book aside because it gave me anxiety. Although the pandemic is still serious, I've managed to get into a mindset healthy enough for this book.
I love this story. The relationship between Jay and Maia is beautiful. Their sibling bond is authentic. I expected the love triangle, but I thought there would be more to it.
Fleur...oh how much I hate her. She gave me Vesper vibes from the minute she was introduced.
The disease in the book makes me question how much was Jay's imagination and how much was real. I feel that some things were answered while others were intentionally withheld. This feels like there's more to be explored.
The worst part, as a cat mom, is leaving Samson behind.
This book is a great fall read, even though I read it between spring and summer. I highly recommend this book!
I love this story. The relationship between Jay and Maia is beautiful. Their sibling bond is authentic. I expected the love triangle, but I thought there would be more to it.
Fleur...oh how much I hate her. She gave me Vesper vibes from the minute she was introduced.
The disease in the book makes me question how much was Jay's imagination and how much was real. I feel that some things were answered while others were intentionally withheld. This feels like there's more to be explored.
The worst part, as a cat mom, is leaving Samson behind.
This book is a great fall read, even though I read it between spring and summer. I highly recommend this book!
September 6, 2019
I really enjoyed reading this book because it was different to others I've read of this genre. There wasn't the typical happy ending but the reader was given some closure whilst there was still a bit of mystery as to the fate of the characters.
The characters were relatable, as the author portrayed the confusion and fear that sometimes comes with being a teenager where other authors sometimes forget to include this. There were plenty of creepy moments in the book that helps add to the eeriness of the world infected with the virus, and whilst there was some gore with the symptoms of the virus it wasn't too much. As someone who doesn't like too much gross stuff I found that this was just enough to emphasise the horror that Jay and his friends were going through without it being overbearing.
The characters were relatable, as the author portrayed the confusion and fear that sometimes comes with being a teenager where other authors sometimes forget to include this. There were plenty of creepy moments in the book that helps add to the eeriness of the world infected with the virus, and whilst there was some gore with the symptoms of the virus it wasn't too much. As someone who doesn't like too much gross stuff I found that this was just enough to emphasise the horror that Jay and his friends were going through without it being overbearing.
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