Blood State

by Raluca Balasa

Three generations ago, the Modernist Mission arrived on the ice planet Tählti to find it already inhabited by the Firsts, humanoids who have evolved an antifreeze glycoprotein in their blood. With the next ice age nipping at everyone’s heels, the Modernist government will do anything to get the protein – even experimenting on the Firsts in secret. Despite Modernist general Lucian Devereaux’s best efforts, what began as a medical research facility to ensure his people’s survival becomes a concentration camp. When an exiled vigilante learns this secret, he threatens to tell the world and spark a war between Modernist and First – a war neither can afford before the ice age. Surrounded by enemies, Lucian must figure out whom to trust, or neither subspecies will survive much longer. "Raluca Balasa has penned a dark, gripping tale of colonialist and indigene as the world around them begins to freeze. Blood State is a slick, twisty, chess game of a novel that sucked me in and held me until the last page." – Stephen Graham King, author of A Congress of Ships"I was completely entranced by Blood State's tale of competing factions struggling for survival on a frozen planet. Raluca Balasa delivers reams of political intrigue, complex and conflicted characters, and gripping action sequences, all in a setting both brutal and exotic. Blood State is a terrific sci-fi novel by an exciting and talented young writer." - David Anthony Durham, author of The Acacia Trilogy"Blood State intrigued me with its timely premise of state-sanctioned violence and intercultural tensions, however, I was pleased to discover that it also delivers on pulse-pounding action and complex characters. A marvelous read!" - Elizabeth Hirst, author of The Face in the Marsh and Distant Early Warning

448 pages, Paperback

Published September 27, 2020

Reviews

[Cameron Currie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blood State was full of surprises. The characters were more complex than I expected, the tension escalated faster than I expected, and the plot careened off the rails more than I expected. The psychology and politics were insightful, the science was spot on without ever becoming technobabble, and I was hooked without noticing when it had happened. When the sequel comes out, I will fight you to be first in line for it.

[J.F. Sebastian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved Blood State by Raluca Balasa!
It had a gripping story, complex characters and an enthralling world building that all came together to create a fascinating vision of the deep future. In many ways, it reminded me of LeGuin-style science fiction (with a dash of Vernor Vinge's A Fire Upon the Deep).
This is an author to watch... Can’t wait for her next book!

[Rosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this well-crafted sci-fi fantasy political thriller by Raluca Balasa. The world building is masterfully done; set on an ice planet, two different generations of colonizers (one more adjusted to the planet's environment than the other) are trying to survive the harsh environment, and each other. The pacing and tension never lets up and (this is rare for me) I found the ending to be very satisfying - even though I understand there will be a sequel, I think this could also work as a standalone.

If you like LeGuin's anthropological approach to sci-fi and Brandon Sanderson's prose and casts of characters then don't miss this stellar debut. I'll be following this author anywhere she chooses to go next.

[Nathan Frechette · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping political sci-fi that asks hard questions. Loved it!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blood State is like Game of Thrones meets Interstellar. Four powerful families struggle for control as the planet they colonized generations ago enters its first ice age. There is so much to love about this book:
- Complex characters with rich backstories. Antiheroes. Blurred lines between "right" and "wrong"
- Fast paced plot, plenty of suspense
- Interesting relationships and power dynamics
- Rich world building
- Simple and elegant writing style (like Brandon Sanderson)
I absolutely love this book. 12/10 would read again.