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Secrets of Blood
Anna, a Scavenger Girl auctioned to the highest bidder at the Seller’s Stage as a surrogate, is purchased by one of the most influential families in Ashlund. Despite her efforts to appease them, tension grows when she cannot give them what they want most. As a slave whose life is in the hands of those with status, an arrangement is made – an agreement so unspeakable the consequence of discovery is worse than death for everyone involved...but it might just work.
Freedom is found through servitude in a place girls like her rarely found: the arms of a loving man. But when betrayal and suspicion overshadow hope and desire, secrets kept too long take a murderous turn to protect them. One night of desperation and tragedy seals their fate, forcing confessions to save the most innocent among them.
Freedom is found through servitude in a place girls like her rarely found: the arms of a loving man. But when betrayal and suspicion overshadow hope and desire, secrets kept too long take a murderous turn to protect them. One night of desperation and tragedy seals their fate, forcing confessions to save the most innocent among them.
204 pages, Paperback
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About the author
Jennifer Arntson
7 books51 followersI'm a dreamer kept well grounded by my amazing husband and two ever-changing children. I have a flare for the dramatic, am adventurous with food, and constantly looking for my next adrenaline rush. When I'm not torturing the keys on my laptop with another novel in progress, you'll find me devouring life before I'm too old and my legs give up on me. Enough about me, let me introduce you to three people far more interesting than myself...
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 28, 2019
I’m a big fan of Jennifer Arntson’s Scavenger Girl series – I believe it to be one of the most underrated series out there – and was super eager to dive into Secrets of Blood when I heard we were getting a spin-off. As I’m desperately awaiting the final book in the Scavenger Girl series, I was happy to devour Secrets of Blood to keep me going until then.
Although I enjoyed Secrets of Blood, I didn’t enjoy it to the same degree as I have enjoyed the Scavenger Girl series. It was an addictive read, one I powered through, with plenty of twists and turns, but I wasn’t invested in the same way I am with the main series. I adored seeing how everything came together, I loved the additional layers this book has added to the series, but it was a three-point-five-star read compared to the four-star and four-point-five-star reads of the Scavenger Girl series.
Whilst Secrets of Blood works perfectly fine as a standalone novel in the Scavenger Girl world, I do believe you’ll get the biggest impact if you have read the Scavenger Girl books first. In the timeline, this one plays out before the Scavenger Girl series. You get to see the history of some of the characters, you get to see certain events and uncover secrets, and this adds a lot to the characters you already know. They work perfectly fine as characters in a standalone story, but we do not go as deep with them as we do with the main series. Yes, it’s a standalone; however, it works better as an extra.
When compared to the Scavenger Girl series, this one was a very quick read. Despite being a quicker read, it packs a punch. A lot is contained within the pages, plenty of things occur, and it keeps you hooked throughout. You’re left wanting to see how everything comes together, curious to see how the details will play out, and you will not want to put the book down. Due to my level of addiction, I did debate rounding my rating up – in fact, I came very close to giving this a four-star rating – but, in the end, I opted with to round down as I have given the main series four-star ratings, rounding down my four-point-five-star ratings, and decided to keep consistent.
Overall, if you’ve enjoyed Jennifer Arntson’s Scavenger Girl universe, I certainly recommend diving into Secrets of Blood. It’s such a fun extra – and if you have yet to dive into Jennifer Arntson’s wonderful world, I suggest you amend that now.
Although I enjoyed Secrets of Blood, I didn’t enjoy it to the same degree as I have enjoyed the Scavenger Girl series. It was an addictive read, one I powered through, with plenty of twists and turns, but I wasn’t invested in the same way I am with the main series. I adored seeing how everything came together, I loved the additional layers this book has added to the series, but it was a three-point-five-star read compared to the four-star and four-point-five-star reads of the Scavenger Girl series.
Whilst Secrets of Blood works perfectly fine as a standalone novel in the Scavenger Girl world, I do believe you’ll get the biggest impact if you have read the Scavenger Girl books first. In the timeline, this one plays out before the Scavenger Girl series. You get to see the history of some of the characters, you get to see certain events and uncover secrets, and this adds a lot to the characters you already know. They work perfectly fine as characters in a standalone story, but we do not go as deep with them as we do with the main series. Yes, it’s a standalone; however, it works better as an extra.
When compared to the Scavenger Girl series, this one was a very quick read. Despite being a quicker read, it packs a punch. A lot is contained within the pages, plenty of things occur, and it keeps you hooked throughout. You’re left wanting to see how everything comes together, curious to see how the details will play out, and you will not want to put the book down. Due to my level of addiction, I did debate rounding my rating up – in fact, I came very close to giving this a four-star rating – but, in the end, I opted with to round down as I have given the main series four-star ratings, rounding down my four-point-five-star ratings, and decided to keep consistent.
Overall, if you’ve enjoyed Jennifer Arntson’s Scavenger Girl universe, I certainly recommend diving into Secrets of Blood. It’s such a fun extra – and if you have yet to dive into Jennifer Arntson’s wonderful world, I suggest you amend that now.
April 23, 2019
It’s easy to visual Jennifer Arnston’s dystopian world in her novels. I’ve only read (and enjoyed) Scavenger Girl, book 1 in the Scavenger Girl series. Although Secrets of Blood isn’t part of the series, it’s a spin off and part of the same world.
This book is definitely dark, as dystopian novels are. The world the characters live in is so cut throat, and Arnston does a great job making the reader feel like they are a part of it. I enjoyed reading Anna’s story, but there were some other characters’ stories and I had trouble following along because I read Scavenger Girl a while ago and hadn’t read the other books in the series. So I wouldn’t really recommend reading Secrets of Blood as a stand alone.
I did enjoy the book, but I do recommend reading the full Scavenger Girl series prior to reading it.
***I received a free copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review.***
This book is definitely dark, as dystopian novels are. The world the characters live in is so cut throat, and Arnston does a great job making the reader feel like they are a part of it. I enjoyed reading Anna’s story, but there were some other characters’ stories and I had trouble following along because I read Scavenger Girl a while ago and hadn’t read the other books in the series. So I wouldn’t really recommend reading Secrets of Blood as a stand alone.
I did enjoy the book, but I do recommend reading the full Scavenger Girl series prior to reading it.
***I received a free copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review.***
March 8, 2019
Jennifer Arntson's Scavenger Girl series is one of my favorite finds - as is the author herself. The series has five books - four currently available - and this newest is actually not a part of the official series but a companion novel that expands upon the backstory of several of the characters who play important roles in the series. It can be read as a standalone or at any point in the narrative of the larger series. It is a whole story; you do NOT have to have read anything of the Scavenger Girl world to read this one. While offering additional depth and breadth to the larger series, it is also, and primarily, the story of a major new character (Anna) who plays a vastly important role in the world of the series, but without anyone ever knowing who she is - until now.
This one is more of a love story than any of the others. The darkness that pervades the series is not as present here, nor is much of the violence. What remains consistent is the quality of the writing and the attention to character- and world-development. Those are spot-on once again. Arntson is a marvel at crafting a wholly new universe populated by a panoply of characters who run the gamut of personalities, and her detailed descriptions, well-plotted adventures, and superb pacing are what make her books such a delight to read.
Secrets is an excellent addition to the Scavenger Girl universe. It provides the all-important "why" behind a lot of things that were implicit or simply accepted in the series books. It establishes a well-roundedness to a number of characters (Pantis, Redena) that are huge factors in the formation of Una's (the protagonist of the series) life and personality. And - just as importantly - it allows readers to either maintain or establish a connection to the larger series by drawing them into (or further into) the world of Ashlund. It's an incredible place to visit, and you will be changed for your time there...
My review copy was provided by the author. This in no way colored my review; my opinions are, as always, entirely my own.
This one is more of a love story than any of the others. The darkness that pervades the series is not as present here, nor is much of the violence. What remains consistent is the quality of the writing and the attention to character- and world-development. Those are spot-on once again. Arntson is a marvel at crafting a wholly new universe populated by a panoply of characters who run the gamut of personalities, and her detailed descriptions, well-plotted adventures, and superb pacing are what make her books such a delight to read.
Secrets is an excellent addition to the Scavenger Girl universe. It provides the all-important "why" behind a lot of things that were implicit or simply accepted in the series books. It establishes a well-roundedness to a number of characters (Pantis, Redena) that are huge factors in the formation of Una's (the protagonist of the series) life and personality. And - just as importantly - it allows readers to either maintain or establish a connection to the larger series by drawing them into (or further into) the world of Ashlund. It's an incredible place to visit, and you will be changed for your time there...
My review copy was provided by the author. This in no way colored my review; my opinions are, as always, entirely my own.
March 8, 2019
I chose to read this e-book after receiving a free e-copy from the author. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.
The Scavenger Girl series is one of my favorites. I was thrilled to find out that the author is writing stand-alone novels that complement the series.
This novel takes place before The Scavenger Girl series and many of the characters are the same. When Von and Dala, Pantis’s son and daughter-in-law, are unable to conceive a child even with a surrogate named Anna, Von secretly begs his father to lie with Anna. Pantis’s decision to help his son results in an unspeakable tragedy.
Von had originally planned to marry Regena until she left him to marry Tawl. Redena and Tawl have a calling to help Scavengers as much as they can even though it is against the law. If they are caught, they could lose their status or even their lives but that doesn’t stop them.
It amazes me how all of the characters are tied together. It’s also interesting that those with the least as far as possessions are the ones who are the happiest. I’m looking forward to reading more of these books. I can’t get enough!
The Scavenger Girl series is one of my favorites. I was thrilled to find out that the author is writing stand-alone novels that complement the series.
This novel takes place before The Scavenger Girl series and many of the characters are the same. When Von and Dala, Pantis’s son and daughter-in-law, are unable to conceive a child even with a surrogate named Anna, Von secretly begs his father to lie with Anna. Pantis’s decision to help his son results in an unspeakable tragedy.
Von had originally planned to marry Regena until she left him to marry Tawl. Redena and Tawl have a calling to help Scavengers as much as they can even though it is against the law. If they are caught, they could lose their status or even their lives but that doesn’t stop them.
It amazes me how all of the characters are tied together. It’s also interesting that those with the least as far as possessions are the ones who are the happiest. I’m looking forward to reading more of these books. I can’t get enough!
February 8, 2022
Insanely cool prequel to an incredible series
I've honestly run out of good things to say about this series. It's tense and gritty and twists in wild directions. Set in a dystopian world, it's a terrifying look at what true tyranny and societal norms can develop into if left unchecked. The characters redeem the doom and gloom with their strength and maturity despite horrible things that occur.
I've honestly run out of good things to say about this series. It's tense and gritty and twists in wild directions. Set in a dystopian world, it's a terrifying look at what true tyranny and societal norms can develop into if left unchecked. The characters redeem the doom and gloom with their strength and maturity despite horrible things that occur.
April 30, 2019
Interesting and harsh
This book is interesting in its story with its harsh reality in the society of haves and have knots. It's well written and explained in its pages.
This book is interesting in its story with its harsh reality in the society of haves and have knots. It's well written and explained in its pages.
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September 20, 2021🎁 FREE on Amazon today (9/20/2021)! 🎁
April 27, 2019
Full disclosure – I was provided a copy of this book by the author; however, I have voluntarily chosen to write a review. All opinions are my own.
Some secrets can’t ever be shared
Secrets of Blood is a stand-alone book in the Scavenger Girl series by author Jennifer Arntson. For fans already of the Series, Secrets of Blood follows the story of Ana a scavenger sold to a wealthy household during the Festival of Atchem. With her primary role being that of a surrogate, Anna has a thankless and demanding job and, failure is not an option as scavengers only get one chance. When a situation arises that jeopardizes Anna’s position as a surrogate, an opportunity arises that may provide a resolution. Anna finds herself in an arrangement so taboo it can’t even be talked about, but she also develops a bond with an unlikely ally also tasked to keep the arrangement a secret. Even though some secrets can never be shared, those are the secrets that are hardest to keep quiet.
While Secrets of Blood is a stand-alone novel within the world of the Scavenger Girl series, it also provides some much sought after back story for fans of the series. Since the story takes place in the years leading up to the events of Season of Atchem, many familiar faces are present as well as others only mentioned in passing conversations. I really feel that this story does a good job of not only providing back story for the current fan but also as an introduction to the much larger series in the main Scavenger Girl novels. After having read the first four books in the main series and going back in time so to speak to read Secrets of Blood, I have gained a new perspective on a few of the series’ characters and if possible, even developed a tinge of sympathy for one certain villain. With Secrets of Blood, Arntson has done a great job of expanding the Scavenger Girl realm and providing new depth and perspective. I really hope she chooses to write more of these prequel type books for additional characters in the future.
Some secrets can’t ever be shared
Secrets of Blood is a stand-alone book in the Scavenger Girl series by author Jennifer Arntson. For fans already of the Series, Secrets of Blood follows the story of Ana a scavenger sold to a wealthy household during the Festival of Atchem. With her primary role being that of a surrogate, Anna has a thankless and demanding job and, failure is not an option as scavengers only get one chance. When a situation arises that jeopardizes Anna’s position as a surrogate, an opportunity arises that may provide a resolution. Anna finds herself in an arrangement so taboo it can’t even be talked about, but she also develops a bond with an unlikely ally also tasked to keep the arrangement a secret. Even though some secrets can never be shared, those are the secrets that are hardest to keep quiet.
While Secrets of Blood is a stand-alone novel within the world of the Scavenger Girl series, it also provides some much sought after back story for fans of the series. Since the story takes place in the years leading up to the events of Season of Atchem, many familiar faces are present as well as others only mentioned in passing conversations. I really feel that this story does a good job of not only providing back story for the current fan but also as an introduction to the much larger series in the main Scavenger Girl novels. After having read the first four books in the main series and going back in time so to speak to read Secrets of Blood, I have gained a new perspective on a few of the series’ characters and if possible, even developed a tinge of sympathy for one certain villain. With Secrets of Blood, Arntson has done a great job of expanding the Scavenger Girl realm and providing new depth and perspective. I really hope she chooses to write more of these prequel type books for additional characters in the future.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews