Blood Ransom [Paperback]

I have to confess that the first few chapters of Blood Ransom left me cold. We're bombarded with Blood Ties backstory and truthfully, I found the set up for the new instalment a little clunky. After all, at the end of Blood Ties Sophie McKenzie sent her characters their separate ways, and getting them all back together again requires some tricky manouevres. However, the premise is a strong one, and after the initially shaky start the action really takes off running. There's not a slow moment as Rachel and Theo find themselves facing off against the evil Elijah once again, with a little help from an old ally.

As in Blood Ties, Blood Ransom sees Theo and Rachel sharing the narrative, our point of view shifting back and forth between them. It's an arrangement that works incredibly well, heightening the tension as one character's chapter alerts us to the fact that the other is about to walk straight into danger... and then we switch perspectives to accompany them as they do just that, blissfully unaware of what we can already see coming. But where Blood Ties was perhaps more Theo's story, Blood Ransom shifts the focus slightly more onto Rachel. The girl we saw transformed in Blood Ties is now strong-willed and determined, and definitely Theo's equal in the action-hero stakes. This time, she's the one Elijah has his wicked sights set on, and when we finally find out what he's up to it's genuinely shocking stuff. Think fight scenes, nail-biting escape attempts, and sinister revelations.

Amidst all the breathtaking action, we also revisit the themes of identity and nature vs. nuture that made the previous book such fascinating reading. New character Miles not only provides us with a different perspective on the life of a cloned human being, but also poses a threat to the relationship between Rachel and Theo. Again, über-baddie Elijah pushes the boundary between genius and insanity, proving that there's no lengths he won't go to to achieve his aims - and giving us food for thought about where science ends and playing god begins. There's a little more romance this time round, but those who don't enjoy that kind of thing can be reassured that Blood Ransom never strays too far into mushiness. It's first and foremost a thriller, and the thrills are most definitely there.

Blood Ransom is a welcome return to the world we first visited in Blood Ties. It's perfectly paced, thought provoking and sprinkled with jaw-dropping moments that'll have readers on the edge of their seats. Fans of the first book will love it.

4½ Out of 5 Stars
Nine months have passed since Blood Ties, and Theo and Rachel now live across the Atlantic from one another. They've been given new identities to protect them. Why? Because they are clones. They were created by the evil genius Elijah, and are hunted by both him and a group known as RAGE (the Righteous Army against Genetic Engineering), who view clones as "unnatural". But when Rachel finds out that Elijah is about to kill Daniel, a five-year-old clone of the scientist, to take the child's healthy heart for himself, Rachel just knows that she has to do something. Even if that means giving up her new identity... or maybe even more... With a little help, she smuggles herself onto the island Elijah is working on. That's when it goes downhill for her... Meanwhile, Theo becomes worried when Rachel misses their weekly chat, and when he finds an article saying that she has committed suicide, he knows something has happened to her. Something bad. With the help of Lewis, who helped the two escape Elijah's clutches the first time, Theo travels to Scotland. Both he and Rachel have no idea what Elijah is planning. But, knowing Elijah, it'll terrible. They just had no idea how terrible...
I love Sophie McKenzie's books. She has a way of creating brilliant characters that feel so real and worlds that both scare the life out of me and absolutely thrill me. I had no idea how Blood Ransom was going to beat Blood Ties (which is one of my favourite books) and was almost scared to read the sequel, worried I'd be let down. I should have known I had nothing to worry about. With non-stop action, dual narratives and evil scientists, Blood Ransom never let me go from start to finish.
Rachel: love her! She was an overweight, shy girl in the first book, but it this one... well, what a transformation! Now Rachel is strong, brave, stubborn and confident: a girl who can hold her own. (Those of you who have read a few more of my reviews have probably picked up on the fact that I loathe weak girls who go running to the strong boy in bad situations. I am pleased to say Rachel was the complete opposite, though she was a little gullible at times.) As for Theo, I always liked him. However, now I love him. I really got to see what was going on inside his head, and how much he loved Rachel. He'd do anything for her. Yes, it's probably odd, seeing as they're both teenagers for the two to be so... committed. But it's sweet and believable; and nothing like foolish-first-love.
Lewis is another character I feel I have to mention: passionate, strong and out for revenge of Elijah, I was so glad to have him back! He's the kind of person I'd love to have as a big brother - just... without the revengeful side. Although you could understand why: Elijah is cruel and heartless and evil. He thinks because he "created" Theo and Rachel, he can just do anything with them, something I hated. Elijah's the classic evil-genius villain who is just designed to be loathed. The ultimate bad-guy.
Now, whilst this is a definite thriller, it also has a moral aspect. How far should we allow science to go? Now, I'm not saying I'm going to go all murderous like RAGE, but should we let people create life just because they can? And then do anything with that `creation' (for lack of a better word), including killing them? Yes, Sophie McKenzie's books often have me thinking...
Back to Blood Ransom: I loved the twists and turns and suspense of this book. I was never bored, I loved every single second and I was left longing for more. So, to fill the hole, I am going to read The Medusa Project! Honestly? I recommend this series: it's thrilling, exciting and it grips you from the first to the very last word. Sophie McKenzie is just the most amazing author, and I can't wait to see what Sister, Missing brings us!

I started reading this book at 11 am and finished at 7.15 pm although the book is 400 pages long. It is one of the best books I've ever read along with the first book in the sequel (blood ties). Its about two clones called Rachel and Theo and an evil scentist called Elijah who created them. Its very thought proking. You can read without reading Blood ties but would be better if you read it. I think that shes done a relly good job with this book. I hope there is another equel as you do what to find out more but it does have a very good ending. Will get you hooked to her and you should read her other books. Relly must read this book. I hope you enjoy reading and found my review helpful.