Blood Hunters

by Steve Voake

The X-Files meets Primeval in Steve Voake's adrenaline-fuelled, terrifying new novel.They know where you are . . .In the middle of the Mexican jungle a small scientific team prepare to embark on an exploration of the world's deepest sinkhole; a naturally-formed underwater shaft that no one has ever reached the bottom of. What they are about to discover could change the world forever.Three thousand miles away, Joe McDonald's father is arrested for murder. Joe and his friend Giles are desperate to prove his innocence, but when more people are attacked in mysterious circumstances, Joe begins to suspect that a predator is on the loose. Maybe the dark shapes he has seen in the woods and canal aren't just his imagination.Could the attacks in Joe's town be linked to his dad's research at the university? Could Dad's colleague have brought something back with him from the expedition in Mexico? Suddenly the search for justice becomes a desperate fight for survival...Praise for Steve'He sets readers an example of how to write skilfully and thoughtfully.' Sunday Times'An ingenious and fast-paced thriller. Voake's book buzzes and hums with ideas. The Times on The Dreamwalker's Child'A compelling sequel.' Times on The Web of Fire'It's been a while since anything as much fun as Steve Voake's The Starlight Conspiracy came along. Voake's third novel is a giant leap forward from his debut The Dreamwalker's Child ... the quality of the writing, and the heartwarming sympathy it evokes makes this a really good, thought-provoking and exciting choice.' Times on The Starlight Conspiracy

Genres: Young Adult, Horror, Fiction

247 pages, Paperback

First published April 2, 2009

About the author

Steve Voake is the author of all the Daisy Dawson books, as well as two novels for older readers. He lives in Somerset, England.

Reviews

[John Naylor · Rating 1 out of 5]

When I give a book one star, there is always a reason. It does not mean that everything in the book was necessarily terrible. It means that the read was not enjoyable or had nothing to recommend it.

This book had an okay concept and an enemy that could possibly have been interesting. The author did try to introduce and develop a lot of characters. That is something that should be encouraged.

On the negative side, none of these characters were interesting enough to be ones I will ever want to know what happened to them after the book finished. They are all bland, they are all forgettable and not one of them had realistic dialogue. There are computer programs that could write better dialogue.

My next problem with the book is that I don't know what age group it was actually aimed at. The prose is simplistic yet it has more gore than many horror books. It is a bloody mess at times. In fact, all the time.

The tone is inconsistent. There are a lot of dumb characters. "Experts" who are totally ineffective and scientists who cannot work out what a reader too young to read this book alone could.

The ending isn't. I don't know if this was to set up a sequel (please, no) or that the author got bored of his own story but it is rushed and inconclusive.

I don't recommend this to anyone. There are millions of better books. If you want a similar story but told better then watch The X-Files episode "Darkness Falls". It will only take you 43 minutes or so.

[Stephen Marco · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a classic suspense story about monsters that are from the depth of the seas and were set free unexpectedly.

It is a fast phase story like the movies.
Also like the movies, it lacks details.

[Dominic Gowland · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book equivalent of a forgettable episode of Primeval…what do you mean you don’t remember Primeval!?

P.S Sorry Daniel

[Adrianna Przybysz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely made for the target audience, tweens would love this sort of read however for me it was a quick and easy read to pass the time, interesting sort of horror and thriller

[Jason H · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel bad rating this book at 2 stars, but as I've lamented in the past, there's no option for half-stars. Blood Hunters is a perfectly okay book for its target audience of tween boys and girls into some slightly science fiction-y horror-y monster YA. The main character is a tween boy, the bad guys are lizard snake monster bird things, and there are some easily predicted plot twists for good measure. The book is definitely British, what with the cricket and such, and that's fine.

Really, it was just a good, quick train read to pass the time. And sometimes that's all you need.

[Geoff Lynas · Rating 2 out of 5]

The style and language seem appropriate for the target age, which I assume is 8-12, maybe young teen. Not so sure about the graphic violence. Only the preposterousness of some of the later action takes the experience of reading this out of the worryingly potentially disturbing into oh-yeah-right like thats ever going to happen. When I was in the correct demographic for this book, this book would not have been available in my library. Just shows how times change. A useful random research read for me. Oh, and you aren't invited onto a Parish Council, you have to be elected.

[Sophie Lewy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Personally I believe this book is perfect for anyone around the age of 12/13. There is a boyish feel to it at the beginning but as you get to the end it's more unisex. There is not as much gore as expected, which makes it suitable for younger children. It was a nice quick read and was interesting, wouldn't highly recommend it for anyone above age of 14 but would be a fantastic read for anyone below that age.

[Jordan Wareham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in a day, been a long time since I've done that. Ludicrous story line, yet still a page turner. The characters in the book aren't fleshed out like they are in a normal book, but it is aimed at teenagers (I got a copy free in Year 7). Still, it's your typical apocalyptic story which is focused on a mutation and not Zombies...

[Jimbob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very thrilling and tense, really tense. Theres such a big build up to the ending and your always included in what happens. But it all just happens at the end theres no hiding or anything it just comes as if it was rushed.

[Ben Richardson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Almost didn't finish the book, but was just intrigued enough to persevere. Totally not worth it. Not even close to real premise, two-dimensional characters, unbelievable action and debilitating wounds shrugged off almost immediately.

[Wilde Sky · Rating 3 out of 5]

A scientist brings back a deadly sample from a Mexican expedition.

I found the story quite interesting, but the writing was a bit clunky / repetitive / preachy also the last few chapters felt like ‘fillers’.

[Sam O · Rating 5 out of 5]

They're coming... from the TOILETs OF EVERYONES HOUSE!!!! Nobody knows what or who they are but people are dying, fast.

[Quintaka · Rating 2 out of 5]

It wasn't very good. It had potential but was poorly written and not plausible in many parts. The end seemed very rushed and in general it was very cheesy and sort of boring

[Moony · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really interesting book and i reccomend this book to all readers who like sci-fi and not too much horror. If your 9+ read it!!!!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a really good read i got quite into it and enjoyed it so i would recommend it to a few people who like small horror type books.

[Ahmedbashar · Rating 5 out of 5]

i like it :)

[Funky · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a kid / YA book, I read it in one day and it's completely predictable, generic and trite from an adults point of view, but a kid might like it.

[Saima · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was quite interesting. It was not too gory, and it makes you think about the possibility of unidentified creatures lurking around. It was good to read.