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Desert Blood 10pm/9c
After his parents died in a terrible car accident and he is adopted by a famous TV-star, Gus Gonzales' life works out as best as it could under the circumstances, but when he learns that his adoptive parent played a role in his parents' death, the whole truth must be uncovered and all the facts, good and bad, made known once and for all. Original.
- GenresYoung AdultMystery
309 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
1 person is currently reading
12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 8, 2012
Reviewed by Me for TeensReadToo.com
It's very rare, at least in my own reading experience, to find a debut novel that is, in essence, perfect. By perfect I mean a balanced blend of mystery and suspense, outstanding plot, great character development, and memorable dialogue. DESERT BLOOD 10PM/9C, however, manages to do all of this and more!
Nicholas Hernandez, cop star of the top-rated television show Desert Blood, is more than just a pretty face on a billboard. The previous year, at the age of twenty-six, Nick ignored the advice of his manager and the leers of his fans and did something no one else would dare to do--he hired a lawyer, appealed to three separate judges, and adopted Gus Gonzalez. Then twelve years old, Gus became an overnight sensation, the adopted son of one of television's hottest stars.
At fourteen, Gus now finds himself at the center of a tabloid frenzy that never seems to let up. If he's not being abducted by aliens, then there obviously has to be something unseemly and untoward in his relationship with his famous father. Even though Nick is the kind of dad any son would love to have--he's loving, understanding, strict but fair--the media is determined to make the relationship between the two of them something it most definitely is not. As if the tabloid rumor mills aren't enough, Gus also has to take the ridicule of kids at school, who are either jealous that they're not starring in Desert Blood, or just downright vicious in taunting Gus about his "Michael Jackson-esque" father-son relationship.
Although he has his father's love, and the ear of his best friend, Lalo (one of the funniest characters of the book), Gus still fears deep down that something will happen to leave him without his new dad. But then the speculations of the press seem like just a bad dream when a guy with a knife breaks into their home, and Gus finds out that Nick has been receiving menacing letters--letters that threaten to harm Gus, and ones that Nick never told his son about.
Soon danger seems to be lurking around every corner--more letters, real disappearances--and it's up to Nick the father, not Nick the cop Gabriel on a television show--to find out who is threatening his family and their lives.
DESERT BLOOD 10PM/9C is the perfect read for lovers of a good mystery and suspense story, and for everyone who has ever wondered what really goes on in the lives of celebrities. Kudos to Mr. Cree for such a cheer-worthy debut novel!
It's very rare, at least in my own reading experience, to find a debut novel that is, in essence, perfect. By perfect I mean a balanced blend of mystery and suspense, outstanding plot, great character development, and memorable dialogue. DESERT BLOOD 10PM/9C, however, manages to do all of this and more!
Nicholas Hernandez, cop star of the top-rated television show Desert Blood, is more than just a pretty face on a billboard. The previous year, at the age of twenty-six, Nick ignored the advice of his manager and the leers of his fans and did something no one else would dare to do--he hired a lawyer, appealed to three separate judges, and adopted Gus Gonzalez. Then twelve years old, Gus became an overnight sensation, the adopted son of one of television's hottest stars.
At fourteen, Gus now finds himself at the center of a tabloid frenzy that never seems to let up. If he's not being abducted by aliens, then there obviously has to be something unseemly and untoward in his relationship with his famous father. Even though Nick is the kind of dad any son would love to have--he's loving, understanding, strict but fair--the media is determined to make the relationship between the two of them something it most definitely is not. As if the tabloid rumor mills aren't enough, Gus also has to take the ridicule of kids at school, who are either jealous that they're not starring in Desert Blood, or just downright vicious in taunting Gus about his "Michael Jackson-esque" father-son relationship.
Although he has his father's love, and the ear of his best friend, Lalo (one of the funniest characters of the book), Gus still fears deep down that something will happen to leave him without his new dad. But then the speculations of the press seem like just a bad dream when a guy with a knife breaks into their home, and Gus finds out that Nick has been receiving menacing letters--letters that threaten to harm Gus, and ones that Nick never told his son about.
Soon danger seems to be lurking around every corner--more letters, real disappearances--and it's up to Nick the father, not Nick the cop Gabriel on a television show--to find out who is threatening his family and their lives.
DESERT BLOOD 10PM/9C is the perfect read for lovers of a good mystery and suspense story, and for everyone who has ever wondered what really goes on in the lives of celebrities. Kudos to Mr. Cree for such a cheer-worthy debut novel!
November 5, 2009
Before I start the review of Desert Blood, I should say that the author Ronald Cree is part of my local writers group. We’ve met at local events—but I didn’t realize he’d written a YA mystery until he pointed the fact out to me. It appears that sometimes in the hunt for a good mystery, I could stand to look in my own backyard.
Desert Blood is the story of Gus Gonzalez, an orphan adopted by TV star Nicholas Hernandez. The two live near Los Angeles, and they do their best to avoid the press when possible. But when Gus comes home to catch an intruder in the house, and he narrowly escapes, tabloid stories are the least of their worries.
Gus soon finds out from his adoptive father Nick that there have been threatening letters, and that Gus himself is being targeted. When his best friend Lalo is kidnapped, Gus is determined to expose the culprit, to eventually expose all the mysteries surrounding his father, the adoption, and the stalker who’s out to get him.
The hardest thing for me as a reader was to buy into the whole celebrity father, and Hollywood glitz that’s the backdrop to Desert Blood. But our lead Gus and his best friend Lalo immediately pulled me into the story—and I especially loved the Hispanic flavor of the story, something you rarely see in YA.
The pacing was a little slow at times (for YA), but the narrative was strong, and the suspense and mystery surrounding Gus’ adoptive father and his past was very compelling. The threat to Gus felt real and palpable, and the mystery was well-paced. I also liked that Gus wasn’t afraid to act—too often in YA, the lead laments over what happens, but doesn’t do anything but navel-gaze. In this book, there was no doubt who the hero was.
Although there was some forceful plotting that needed a good amount of explaining at the end, I’m glad to say that this was, in fact, a YA mystery. With a lead who solved it. So Desert Blood is going on the list, with a solid 4 rating.
Desert Blood is the story of Gus Gonzalez, an orphan adopted by TV star Nicholas Hernandez. The two live near Los Angeles, and they do their best to avoid the press when possible. But when Gus comes home to catch an intruder in the house, and he narrowly escapes, tabloid stories are the least of their worries.
Gus soon finds out from his adoptive father Nick that there have been threatening letters, and that Gus himself is being targeted. When his best friend Lalo is kidnapped, Gus is determined to expose the culprit, to eventually expose all the mysteries surrounding his father, the adoption, and the stalker who’s out to get him.
The hardest thing for me as a reader was to buy into the whole celebrity father, and Hollywood glitz that’s the backdrop to Desert Blood. But our lead Gus and his best friend Lalo immediately pulled me into the story—and I especially loved the Hispanic flavor of the story, something you rarely see in YA.
The pacing was a little slow at times (for YA), but the narrative was strong, and the suspense and mystery surrounding Gus’ adoptive father and his past was very compelling. The threat to Gus felt real and palpable, and the mystery was well-paced. I also liked that Gus wasn’t afraid to act—too often in YA, the lead laments over what happens, but doesn’t do anything but navel-gaze. In this book, there was no doubt who the hero was.
Although there was some forceful plotting that needed a good amount of explaining at the end, I’m glad to say that this was, in fact, a YA mystery. With a lead who solved it. So Desert Blood is going on the list, with a solid 4 rating.
April 18, 2013
Book review- Goodreads
Desert Blood by Ronald Cree
Desert Blood by Ronald Cree takes place in where movies are well known to be made. Holly Wood. Most people would enjoy this book because it has a lot of drama. It focuses on a teenaged boy who was adopted by a good looking, famous, well known television show actor. They get along great and they both love each other.
SYNOPSIS
Gus was adopted by famous TV star Nicholas Hernandez when he was a lot younger. As time went on, Gus and Nick became very close to each other. With nick being a new parent and not knowing all the aspects that he should know, he and Gus butt heads often. People at school tease Gus all the time. Actually not only people at school, but the press as well. They pick on Nick and call him a child molester, a rapist, and all kinds of mean, nasty, hateful words. Nicks assistant cannot stand Gus at all. Every day she tells Nick he made a mistake of adopting Gus and he should send him back. As it would seem, most of the male teens hate Nick, but all the girls love him.
I enjoyed this book because it seems so real. I could put myself inside of the story and see how Gus was feeling. The story was so awesome, I would rate it a 5 out of 5. I could feel the hatred that Nick’s intern had toward Gus. I also could sense when Gus was mad at Nick. I know I couldn’t give you all the good details, but I gave you one of the many small great details. There’s plenty more in the story, so the next time you decide to read a book chose Desert Blood. I surely hope you actually decide to read it and enjoy it.
Desert Blood by Ronald Cree
Desert Blood by Ronald Cree takes place in where movies are well known to be made. Holly Wood. Most people would enjoy this book because it has a lot of drama. It focuses on a teenaged boy who was adopted by a good looking, famous, well known television show actor. They get along great and they both love each other.
SYNOPSIS
Gus was adopted by famous TV star Nicholas Hernandez when he was a lot younger. As time went on, Gus and Nick became very close to each other. With nick being a new parent and not knowing all the aspects that he should know, he and Gus butt heads often. People at school tease Gus all the time. Actually not only people at school, but the press as well. They pick on Nick and call him a child molester, a rapist, and all kinds of mean, nasty, hateful words. Nicks assistant cannot stand Gus at all. Every day she tells Nick he made a mistake of adopting Gus and he should send him back. As it would seem, most of the male teens hate Nick, but all the girls love him.
I enjoyed this book because it seems so real. I could put myself inside of the story and see how Gus was feeling. The story was so awesome, I would rate it a 5 out of 5. I could feel the hatred that Nick’s intern had toward Gus. I also could sense when Gus was mad at Nick. I know I couldn’t give you all the good details, but I gave you one of the many small great details. There’s plenty more in the story, so the next time you decide to read a book chose Desert Blood. I surely hope you actually decide to read it and enjoy it.
October 25, 2012
I'm not a YA reader, but a free copy of the book was enough to entice me to read it. I was caught up in the story until the end, where the plot relied on a too-hard-to-accept climax with police behaving like tv cops of the 60's. (Note to author - police do NOT fire warning shots, and they wouldn't have left kids to save themselves.) Sometimes mistakes like that are all it takes to spoil what had been an entertaining read.
October 10, 2019
The book started out a little slow for me but once it got going (which wasn't too far in) it finished strong. Good mystery, good twists, a good read. It is technically for young adults, a group to which I technically do not belong, but I still found it entertaining and fun.
January 5, 2011
An okay read. Some boys will like it; more so, the girls.
May 18, 2015
A fresh concept set to a great mystery. It deserves a wide readership.
July 10, 2016
There's a fun mystery in here with some shoddy details.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews