What do you think?
Blood Water
Caught in the flood that is devastating the town, brothers Sean and James stumble across Dr Morrow and the carnage left at his lab. A specimen has gone missing and it is some kind of deadly parasite that moves from person to person, destroying its hosts in disgusting, gory ways.
- GenresHorrorYoung Adult
256 pages, Paperback
First published June 4, 2009
About the author
Dean Vincent Carter
9 books17 followersI was born in July, 1976 in the West Midlands and spent the first six years of my life in Bewdley near Kidderminster, before moving to Tenbury Wells, Shropshire where many members of my family still live.
At around thirteen years of age I spent one bored Summer afternoon sitting in the back garden of a restaurant where my mother worked, reading a book my aunt had ordered by mistake from a book club. Stephen King’s Misery, wasn’t exactly her cup of tea, but it was, as I was soon to find out, mine. I devoured the novel and found within its pages the inspiration to write my own stories. The first, Revenge, was very much a tentative footstep in the general direction of storytelling, i.e. it’s not exactly my finest piece of work. The story lasted only six pages, (luckily) was very Misery-derivative, and more than a little contrived and predictable. But we all have to start somewhere, and there was as good a place as any.
During my last few years of high school I tried a few more short stories, then attempted a book, Carnival, which eventually ended up as a large short story, possibly a novella, about a travelling carnival of genetically modified animals and freaks. I still have a copy of it, typed out on an old Olivetti typewriter given to me by an uncle. Even now the smell of typewriters (a heady mix of ink and metal) brings back memories. Personal Computers will always be my weapon of choice when it comes to word-processing, but they have none of the excitement, the romance, the immediacy of typewriters.
Like Revenge, Carnival hasn’t really stood the test of time, but I was young… At least, that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it.
Since 1991 I’ve written pretty much constantly. Through my college years in Worcester (1992-95), my university years (1995-98) and the years since, I’ve found it difficult to leave a keyboard alone.
The Hand of the Devil began as a short story entitled Epicure in the Terrible, which had a length of about eleven thousand words. The two stories are very similar in tone, but with notable differences. In the short story the main character is shipwrecked on the island after accidentally murdering a sailor, and is little more than food for the Ganges Red. Mather is present, though he has none of the depth he has in the book, and the ending of the short story is left open unlike the novel.
In 1999 I spent six months working as a temp for Transworld Publishers in Ealing, London. I worked in the post-room, and found the company, and indeed the industry, very much to my liking. I had ambitions back then to eventually write a book and submit it, but I had no idea of what was to come. In fact it would be four more years before I had my lucky break. I returned to Shropshire for a couple of years and worked for Hammicks Bookshop in Worcester, before being offered a permanent job back at Transworld, an opportunity I jumped at. So in 2002 I returned to London, having already begun adapting Epicure in the Terrible into a book, and a year down the line at a Transworld/Random House Children’s Books Christmas party I happened to sit at the same table as the wonderful, talented, and highly respected editor, Charlie Sheppard. A colleague and I were lingering at the bar, waiting for our drinks, and because of this ended up grabbing the last available table as people sat down to eat. A few other people joined us, including Charlie, and it soon became clear to her that I was the ‘Dean Carter’ who had been sending silly emails around the company. She asked if I’d written anything… And the rest is history.
The Bookseller Email has been in existence for over three years now, and began at the behest of my boss, to inform many members of staff that the trade magazine The Boookseller had arrived. For some reason, possibly because of general boredom and a writer’s irrepressible urge to make anything written more interesting, whether it be a letter, email or greetings card message
At around thirteen years of age I spent one bored Summer afternoon sitting in the back garden of a restaurant where my mother worked, reading a book my aunt had ordered by mistake from a book club. Stephen King’s Misery, wasn’t exactly her cup of tea, but it was, as I was soon to find out, mine. I devoured the novel and found within its pages the inspiration to write my own stories. The first, Revenge, was very much a tentative footstep in the general direction of storytelling, i.e. it’s not exactly my finest piece of work. The story lasted only six pages, (luckily) was very Misery-derivative, and more than a little contrived and predictable. But we all have to start somewhere, and there was as good a place as any.
During my last few years of high school I tried a few more short stories, then attempted a book, Carnival, which eventually ended up as a large short story, possibly a novella, about a travelling carnival of genetically modified animals and freaks. I still have a copy of it, typed out on an old Olivetti typewriter given to me by an uncle. Even now the smell of typewriters (a heady mix of ink and metal) brings back memories. Personal Computers will always be my weapon of choice when it comes to word-processing, but they have none of the excitement, the romance, the immediacy of typewriters.
Like Revenge, Carnival hasn’t really stood the test of time, but I was young… At least, that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it.
Since 1991 I’ve written pretty much constantly. Through my college years in Worcester (1992-95), my university years (1995-98) and the years since, I’ve found it difficult to leave a keyboard alone.
The Hand of the Devil began as a short story entitled Epicure in the Terrible, which had a length of about eleven thousand words. The two stories are very similar in tone, but with notable differences. In the short story the main character is shipwrecked on the island after accidentally murdering a sailor, and is little more than food for the Ganges Red. Mather is present, though he has none of the depth he has in the book, and the ending of the short story is left open unlike the novel.
In 1999 I spent six months working as a temp for Transworld Publishers in Ealing, London. I worked in the post-room, and found the company, and indeed the industry, very much to my liking. I had ambitions back then to eventually write a book and submit it, but I had no idea of what was to come. In fact it would be four more years before I had my lucky break. I returned to Shropshire for a couple of years and worked for Hammicks Bookshop in Worcester, before being offered a permanent job back at Transworld, an opportunity I jumped at. So in 2002 I returned to London, having already begun adapting Epicure in the Terrible into a book, and a year down the line at a Transworld/Random House Children’s Books Christmas party I happened to sit at the same table as the wonderful, talented, and highly respected editor, Charlie Sheppard. A colleague and I were lingering at the bar, waiting for our drinks, and because of this ended up grabbing the last available table as people sat down to eat. A few other people joined us, including Charlie, and it soon became clear to her that I was the ‘Dean Carter’ who had been sending silly emails around the company. She asked if I’d written anything… And the rest is history.
The Bookseller Email has been in existence for over three years now, and began at the behest of my boss, to inform many members of staff that the trade magazine The Boookseller had arrived. For some reason, possibly because of general boredom and a writer’s irrepressible urge to make anything written more interesting, whether it be a letter, email or greetings card message
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 7, 2017
This book was about a scientist called dr marrow who finds something strange in the water, a black slug like creature. He takes it to his lab to find out what it is.
He soon finds our that the creature is dangerous and somehow it escapes and causes chaos.
This is an amazing gripping book. I could not put it down. All the way through I was in he edge of my seat not knowing what was going to happen next.
The reading pace was moderate to fast band I really enjoyed that.
I love the writing style as it kept me reading
I can't wait to discover and read more books of his.
I recommend this to anyone who likes science, weird creatures and gore at times
He soon finds our that the creature is dangerous and somehow it escapes and causes chaos.
This is an amazing gripping book. I could not put it down. All the way through I was in he edge of my seat not knowing what was going to happen next.
The reading pace was moderate to fast band I really enjoyed that.
I love the writing style as it kept me reading
I can't wait to discover and read more books of his.
I recommend this to anyone who likes science, weird creatures and gore at times
July 1, 2020
I didn't enjoy this. People became infected by the slug. Then people would get close to the obviously infected people and the slug would infect them. The entire plot is people getting attacked by the slug, then the slug being destroyed by salt... the end. Skim read from page 50
November 1, 2009
Dr. Morrow has discovered a unique and curious creature. He spends countless hours conducting experiments on it in order to learn about the abilities and intelligence of the creature. It is nothing like he has ever seen before. If it is as intelligent as it appears to be, it would be devastating if it landed in the wrong hands – and one particular scientist has been snooping around causing Dr. Morrow to be extra cautious.
The unthinkable happens and the creature finds a way out of the lab. At the same time, the town is being bombarded by a torrential downpour leaving the inhabitants stranded and immobilized. During the rise of the flood waters, Sean, a young teen, happens to witness a man struggling to climb out of the roaring, fast-flowing river. He attempts to climb down the bank to help the man, but stops when he sees the man become violently ill. The man vomits blood until there doesn’t seem to be any left in his body. After the blood, a black oozing substance flows out of his mouth. The man jerks away and falls back into the water and Sean leaves the riverbank and searches for a way to get home. The smell coming from the black ooze was too much to take.
The black ooze is the creature Dr. Morrow found and it can travel from host to host by entering the mouths of its victims. BLOOD WATER follows the path of the creature as it flows from host to host. The creature infects the host as soon as it enters their body. It only takes a short time for the host to deteriorate enough to cause the creature to search out another body. Sean and his brother, James, try to find help in putting a stop to the killing spree of this terrible creature, losing many people along the way.
BLOOD WATER is being promoted as a horror novel, but falls short when it comes to creepy suspense. The only disturbing aspect of the book is when the author details what happens to the infected hosts before they finally die. BLOOD WATER is short and, I have to say, that is probably the only reason I finished it.
The unthinkable happens and the creature finds a way out of the lab. At the same time, the town is being bombarded by a torrential downpour leaving the inhabitants stranded and immobilized. During the rise of the flood waters, Sean, a young teen, happens to witness a man struggling to climb out of the roaring, fast-flowing river. He attempts to climb down the bank to help the man, but stops when he sees the man become violently ill. The man vomits blood until there doesn’t seem to be any left in his body. After the blood, a black oozing substance flows out of his mouth. The man jerks away and falls back into the water and Sean leaves the riverbank and searches for a way to get home. The smell coming from the black ooze was too much to take.
The black ooze is the creature Dr. Morrow found and it can travel from host to host by entering the mouths of its victims. BLOOD WATER follows the path of the creature as it flows from host to host. The creature infects the host as soon as it enters their body. It only takes a short time for the host to deteriorate enough to cause the creature to search out another body. Sean and his brother, James, try to find help in putting a stop to the killing spree of this terrible creature, losing many people along the way.
BLOOD WATER is being promoted as a horror novel, but falls short when it comes to creepy suspense. The only disturbing aspect of the book is when the author details what happens to the infected hosts before they finally die. BLOOD WATER is short and, I have to say, that is probably the only reason I finished it.
July 28, 2012
I will jump to the review. This book was great! It was a thin book so I finished it in one hour. I started it at 12.00 in the morning and finished it at 1.00. In this one hour, the book had me! Everytime, something unexpected happened, I would grip my bedsheetes in fear and when that thing would pass and I would come to know what happened, if it was bad, I would shake my head as if I was very sorry, and if something good happened, I would let out a sigh of relief. At one time in the book, Mr Titus comes out of the cupboard with the creature in his mouth suddenly and I screamed into the night! The book was a real horror book. I couldnt take my hands off the book even once. There was a lot of suspicion in the book and not the type where you are so frustrated with so much suspicion that you dont care what it is. That type of suspicion where you are really dying to know what is the character hiding from the others and the creature. The way Carter describes the victims of the creature getting killed is sick.... I dont want to reveal it. For horror fans They would love to read the book, but for others they would vomit if they saw the cover, thinking of what I wrote. Well, there has to be some sick stuff in horror books or it will not be a horror book. So, horror fans, if you decide to take this book, you are in for something really exciting.
May 18, 2023
Prepare to be submerged in a chilling tale of scientific discovery gone horribly wrong. Where a small town ravaged by floods becomes the prime hunting ground for a nameless terror. As the waters rise and panic sets in, witness the unbreakable bond between two brothers who will defy all odds, daring to venture into the heart of darkness to save themselves and those around them.
Brace yourself for a flood of terror and prepare to be consumed by the relentless horrors lurking within the pages of this horror novel, where the measure of survival is tested by the depths of brotherly sacrifice.
In the flooded town, we are introduced to Dr. Morrow who is grappling with the terrifying discovery of an unidentified creature lurking in the depths of the lake. Sensing the creature's inherent danger, he conducts experiments on it, but his attempts go awry as the parasite breaks free from its containment, plunging the town into a nightmare. Unbeknownst to everyone, the enigmatic creature wanders the town, driven by an unknown purpose.
Amidst the chaos, two brothers Sean and James stumble upon the aftermath of Morrow's lab, witnessing the gruesome aftermath and realizing the true extent of the horror that has been unleashed. The elusive parasite, capable of inhabiting both humans and animals, leaves a trail of grotesque destruction in its wake, spreading its malevolence through the infected hosts.
As the death toll rises alongside the rising floodwaters, the fate of the town hangs in the balance. Determined to stop the murderous specimen and halt the relentless bloodshed, the courageous brothers embark on a perilous mission to track down the creature. With time running out and their lives on the line, they must find a way to destroy the insidious parasite before it claims their lives and escapes to wreak havoc beyond the town's confines.
In this race against annihilation, the brothers confront unimaginable horrors, challenging their bond and resilience. Will they succeed in their desperate quest to eradicate the monstrous entity, or will they succumb to its insatiable wrath, joining the multitude of victims it leaves in its wake?
Blood Water is best described as a teen horror book that sets the stage for a very promising premise. Indeed, a story about a flooded town battling a mysterious creature lurking beneath the lake's depths is bound to garner a lot of attention and interest. Further, it does offer some moments of gruesome destruction and macabre imagery. The descriptions of the parasite's influence on its hosts provide scenes of horror that will most likely satisfy many fans of the genre who are seeking exhilarating thrills.
Personally, I found the pacing somewhat off. It is really non-stop action that does not allow for the proper suspense to build. As a reader, I found this to be somewhat unsatisfying. I do see the appeal for some who like this frantic pace, however.
In regards to the characters, they are introduced adequately but lack the depth needed to fully engage the reader. Their reactions to the unfolding events feel predictable and fail to elicit genuine emotional investment. Even as the town descends into chaos and the death toll rises, the character's actions and motivations seem detached and too predictable.
Overall, there are many good moments in this novel, making it a good pick for fans of intense action, who do not feel squeamish with blood and gore. It is definitely written with this audience in mind and as such is the reason I choose to rate it as a 3 out of 5.
3 out of 5 Sluggish Stars for this one!
Brace yourself for a flood of terror and prepare to be consumed by the relentless horrors lurking within the pages of this horror novel, where the measure of survival is tested by the depths of brotherly sacrifice.
In the flooded town, we are introduced to Dr. Morrow who is grappling with the terrifying discovery of an unidentified creature lurking in the depths of the lake. Sensing the creature's inherent danger, he conducts experiments on it, but his attempts go awry as the parasite breaks free from its containment, plunging the town into a nightmare. Unbeknownst to everyone, the enigmatic creature wanders the town, driven by an unknown purpose.
Amidst the chaos, two brothers Sean and James stumble upon the aftermath of Morrow's lab, witnessing the gruesome aftermath and realizing the true extent of the horror that has been unleashed. The elusive parasite, capable of inhabiting both humans and animals, leaves a trail of grotesque destruction in its wake, spreading its malevolence through the infected hosts.
As the death toll rises alongside the rising floodwaters, the fate of the town hangs in the balance. Determined to stop the murderous specimen and halt the relentless bloodshed, the courageous brothers embark on a perilous mission to track down the creature. With time running out and their lives on the line, they must find a way to destroy the insidious parasite before it claims their lives and escapes to wreak havoc beyond the town's confines.
In this race against annihilation, the brothers confront unimaginable horrors, challenging their bond and resilience. Will they succeed in their desperate quest to eradicate the monstrous entity, or will they succumb to its insatiable wrath, joining the multitude of victims it leaves in its wake?
Blood Water is best described as a teen horror book that sets the stage for a very promising premise. Indeed, a story about a flooded town battling a mysterious creature lurking beneath the lake's depths is bound to garner a lot of attention and interest. Further, it does offer some moments of gruesome destruction and macabre imagery. The descriptions of the parasite's influence on its hosts provide scenes of horror that will most likely satisfy many fans of the genre who are seeking exhilarating thrills.
Personally, I found the pacing somewhat off. It is really non-stop action that does not allow for the proper suspense to build. As a reader, I found this to be somewhat unsatisfying. I do see the appeal for some who like this frantic pace, however.
In regards to the characters, they are introduced adequately but lack the depth needed to fully engage the reader. Their reactions to the unfolding events feel predictable and fail to elicit genuine emotional investment. Even as the town descends into chaos and the death toll rises, the character's actions and motivations seem detached and too predictable.
Overall, there are many good moments in this novel, making it a good pick for fans of intense action, who do not feel squeamish with blood and gore. It is definitely written with this audience in mind and as such is the reason I choose to rate it as a 3 out of 5.
3 out of 5 Sluggish Stars for this one!
October 13, 2024
Status: read
Edition: paperback
Series Position: standalone
My Reading Dates: 8 Oct - 9 Oct
Genre: horror, fiction, young adult
Pages: 256
Driven by: a mix of character and plot
Pace: medium
POV: multiple - third person - past tense
3.25
My Thoughts
I.......don't know how I feel about this book
Actually, that's a lie, I do, and it's not great. I don't know what I was expecting going into this, but I somehow thought that it was going to have a monumental impact on my week. Even though every time I pick up a book like this one (this one meaning a random book I see on the library shelf which I have never heard of before), I always get sorta the same reaction. Being that the build up is great, and then the ending fell flat. This book was no exception.
The first 90% was great. It had me hooked and wondering what going to happen next, and who is going to die. The whole concept in general, of a species that can virtually possess people, is something that got me thinking of the possibilities of something like that happening in real life.
The characters I really liked as well. The main character (sorry, I have forgotten the name lol) was someone who was relatable and an ordinary person (yeah, I know, an overused line, but still). The characters felt very real to me, people I could see existing in real life. Which I guess is what made me very really worried for these guys.
But I liked the ending with how the creature ends up. But I hate how they let the characters live their normal lives after. Where is all the trauma, and 'life will never be the same' stuff? They let all the characters act as if nothing happened.
Anywho, overall, it was an alright book. It was good for a palate cleanser, and that was really the only intention as I picked this up. Would I recommend? Maybe. It wasn't bad and the plot was an interesting concept to think about.
↝3.25 stars
Edition: paperback
Series Position: standalone
My Reading Dates: 8 Oct - 9 Oct
Genre: horror, fiction, young adult
Pages: 256
Driven by: a mix of character and plot
Pace: medium
POV: multiple - third person - past tense
3.25
My Thoughts
I.......don't know how I feel about this book
Actually, that's a lie, I do, and it's not great. I don't know what I was expecting going into this, but I somehow thought that it was going to have a monumental impact on my week. Even though every time I pick up a book like this one (this one meaning a random book I see on the library shelf which I have never heard of before), I always get sorta the same reaction. Being that the build up is great, and then the ending fell flat. This book was no exception.
The first 90% was great. It had me hooked and wondering what going to happen next, and who is going to die. The whole concept in general, of a species that can virtually possess people, is something that got me thinking of the possibilities of something like that happening in real life.
The characters I really liked as well. The main character (sorry, I have forgotten the name lol) was someone who was relatable and an ordinary person (yeah, I know, an overused line, but still). The characters felt very real to me, people I could see existing in real life. Which I guess is what made me very really worried for these guys.
But I liked the ending with how the creature ends up. But I hate how they let the characters live their normal lives after. Where is all the trauma, and 'life will never be the same' stuff? They let all the characters act as if nothing happened.
Anywho, overall, it was an alright book. It was good for a palate cleanser, and that was really the only intention as I picked this up. Would I recommend? Maybe. It wasn't bad and the plot was an interesting concept to think about.
↝3.25 stars
July 21, 2016
It wasn't bad, but it wasn't exactly good, either.
The general vibe of the story is a science-fiction-horror wannabe that tries just a little too hard. The plot line of an intelligent parasitic creature that controls its host's body and decays them is a little worn out. It's predictable and stale towards the end, and over much too quickly.
The book comes under the horror genre, but there isn't much to horrify you except the in-detail descriptions of those who are dying. When I first read this book a few years back, I really enjoyed it, but I was only 13 or so. It may be better for people who are new to the genre or new to teen fiction and don't know where to start. Yes, I've read better, but I've also read worse. Much, much worse. It's not as bad as some of the other reviews make it sound, but I also wouldn't start reading this book with too high expectations.
The general vibe of the story is a science-fiction-horror wannabe that tries just a little too hard. The plot line of an intelligent parasitic creature that controls its host's body and decays them is a little worn out. It's predictable and stale towards the end, and over much too quickly.
The book comes under the horror genre, but there isn't much to horrify you except the in-detail descriptions of those who are dying. When I first read this book a few years back, I really enjoyed it, but I was only 13 or so. It may be better for people who are new to the genre or new to teen fiction and don't know where to start. Yes, I've read better, but I've also read worse. Much, much worse. It's not as bad as some of the other reviews make it sound, but I also wouldn't start reading this book with too high expectations.
October 13, 2010
If ya liked the idea of the alien etc but felt it wasnt explored enough and was too breif, read The Host! definately a WAYYYYYY improvement of this. MUCH MUCH reccomended!
The Host people!
This was a good book but i have read better written books.
I like the specimen and storyline but there were too many character names to keep track of. And it was written as if to say one thing but it actually wasn't (not in a on purpose way), which confused me quite often.
It is worth reading if bored, not if you have other things to do/books to read...
3/5 for me...
The Host people!
This was a good book but i have read better written books.
I like the specimen and storyline but there were too many character names to keep track of. And it was written as if to say one thing but it actually wasn't (not in a on purpose way), which confused me quite often.
It is worth reading if bored, not if you have other things to do/books to read...
3/5 for me...
August 31, 2009
“Blood Water” is labelled as teen horror and manages to stay true to its nature. As with all YA literature I have read recently I felt dissatisfaction with myself for not being able to connect with the novel, despite it being in one of my favorite genres. I do hold the view that this is an excellent title for those inexperienced with the genre as well as for the undeveloped minds of younger teens.
July 31, 2015
A book I have read numerous times and still find myself really enjoying. A great movie which shows from both the main characters perspective and the creatures which is something that makes this book more chilling. While also adding a lot of mystery in the book as well it is a great read which I would highly recommend
May 29, 2012
Magnificant.
October 31, 2014
It started really well but then it just became annoying. Everything that happen felt like it was only happening so that the book was longer or progressed slower. The ending was also terrible.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews