I was excited after hearing this was the book to read after watching Sinners, but this shocked me /neg. Very little time was spent on the history of the vampires. The prologue included a singular scene focusing on the history and that was it. A very large majority of this book was inflicting pain on the slaves, especially the women and children. There needs to be content warnings because I was not expecting to read multiple graphic rape and torture scenes. None of the violent scenes contributed to the plot or character development, in my opinion. The revenge scene was lackluster and too short. The native rep was lazy, and I wish the women had been listened to throughout the story as they warned the men (including our main character) of the hubris of listening to the vampire. The writing style was fantastic, don’t get me wrong, and the story was well paced and compelling, in an odd sort of way; however, I think the plot was too focused on torturing the slaves and looking down on them (there’s a scene where it’s insinuated that the vampires become enlightened and that’s why they no longer speak like slaves) instead of the interesting vampire lore or the freedom of the slaves

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Phenomenal read. As someone who’s always loved vampire books, especially black vampire books, this is exactly what I needed. The growth and development in Willie/ Kwadzo was AMAZING. The writing style was amazing. We need more books that encompass black rage and this was it.

Blood soaked revenge, that does not pull it's punches.

We followed a well crafted story that ends with revenge rightfully dealt out. The setting was in the 1700s US south, the conditions and horrors of the plantation were chillingly depicted.

I did find the violence, expecially at the beginning, very difficult to read, as I imagine it was intended. Even with acknowledging the trigger warnings I was very close to DNFing but pushed though as I was very excited about the book. The assault scenes were particularly difficult to stomach. I had to take the occasional step away but I did end up coming back to it.

Of the characters Irene was personally my favourite. Overall I think the characters were well done.

The end was most definitely satisfying and well worth it.

**5 out of 5 stars – Dark, Gripping, and Unexpectedly Deep**

Blood Slaves by Markus Redmond took me completely by surprise—in the best way possible. I picked it up expecting a gritty vampire story, and while it definitely delivered on the dark, thrilling vibes, it also offered so much more. This book is smart, intense, and layered with complex emotions and sharp social commentary.

The world Redmond builds is raw and unapologetically real. The vampire mythology feels fresh, but what really drew me in were the characters. They're flawed, fascinating, and deeply human—even when they’re not. I found myself especially invested in the emotional weight of their choices, their pain, and the strange, haunting beauty in the way they navigate survival, addiction, and identity.

There’s a pulsing energy throughout the book—both from the writing style and the pacing—that kept me locked in from start to finish. I never felt like I could predict where the story was going, and that made it all the more compelling. The way Redmond explores themes like power, control, and freedom through this supernatural lens is honestly brilliant.

What surprised me most was how philosophical and emotionally raw parts of it were. It’s not just a vampire thriller—it’s a story about trauma, resilience, and what it means to reclaim your power.

If you're looking for something dark, thought-provoking, and completely unputdownable, Blood Slaves is it. I’ll definitely be thinking about this one for a long time—and I’ll be first in line for whatever Markus Redmond writes next.

In Blood Slaves, Markus Redmond has changed history. The story takes place in 1710 in the British colonies. It’s a brutal time; colonization is rampant and as Europe invades Africa, communities and families are torn apart. Those who survive find themselves on ships that take them across the ocean, where they’re sold into slavery.

When I was preparing for the interview, the author told me, “Read the content warnings.” It’s really important to note that there are CWs at the beginning, and they prepare you for what to expect. This book isn’t an easy read; however, Redmond has presented historical accuracy with sensitivity. The incidents detailed are relevant to the characters’ arcs, and they’re portrayed as evil acts.

What really impressed me about Blood Slaves was the depth of characterization. There are many characters who have POV sections, and it’s clear the characters have their own challenges and thoughts about how to deal with their situation. While the conflict between Kwadzo (Willie) and Gertie is prominent because Kwadzo is our MMC, there are many other characters who question how to deal with their situation. I love that it wasn’t as simple as becoming a vampire or remaining human. It was a far more complicated choice each person faced, and people had different reasons for making the choices they did.

This book is pretty decently paced, it moves briskly, and it definitely held my interest throughout. It also prompted me to think about a lot of things. It’s an unflinching look at slavery and some people are going to find it hard to read. Personally, I think it’s an important read. Yes, it delivers the essentials of a great story - memorable characters, conflict, dilemmas, action, and rising tension - but it also raises a lot of compelling questions, and the author has also provided a list of discussion questions in the back, making it perfect for book clubs.

I absolutely do not want to give anything away, so I’ll only say it’s a hell of an ending. I mean, it’s an incredible ending. It offers some resolution to an important thread while simultaneously setting up the next book.

Full disclosure: I am an author and will not post negative reviews. I only review books I enjoy. I received an e-arc of Blood Slaves to prepare for an interview with the author (and am posting my honest thoughts to maintain my NG rating).

Blood Slaves by Markus Redmond is a bold, genre-blending reimagining of vampire mythology, set against the brutal backdrop of American slavery. With cinematic intensity, it follows Willie, an enslaved man offered a dark path to freedom by Rafazi, the last of an ancient African vampire tribe. As the two build a supernatural army to rise against their oppressors, Redmond weaves alternate history, horror, and righteous revenge into a gripping, thought-provoking tale. Visceral, original, and unflinching.

Markus Redmond's Blood Slaves is an unflinching window into the horrors and brutality of slavery in the US -- but with a hopeful twist from a surprising source. Willie, a strong Black man determined to be free, attempts to flee but is caught and brutally punished by the overseer who, for reasons untold, legitimately hates him. He is in love with a fellow slave, Gertie, who finds herself pregnant with Willie's child. Gertie believes that slavery is just their lot in life, and they just need to keep their heads down and survive. When Willie is given the chance to become a vampire -- and the powerful leader who could free them all -- he has to choose between doing what he believes is right and necessary, and keeping Gertie's love.

The story is fast-paced and deeply affecting throughout. When vampirism appears, it is far less horrifying than the brutality imposed by the white plantation owners, their family members, and employees on the enslaved people, than by the vampires taking the lives of their tormentors. If you're like me, you'll be rooting for the vampires.

This was a great alternate-history, and I can't wait for the next book!

As stated in the dedication, “this is not a story about slavery, this is a story about a slave”. This in fact hit the nail on the head! There are plenty of trigger warnings for this story but once you make it past that, this is truly a story about resilience. There were a few times I had to take a break from this story as it became a little too much for me reading about how inhumanely the main characters were treated. Every time I did this, I also found that I could not stay away for long as I wanted to see how everything played out…and boy did it. If you liked Django and Sinners, you will love this story. I will definitely be buying the physical copy when it is released.

When I first saw this book, I knew I had to read it. After Sinners came out, this became a must-read.

It did NOT disappoint. I honestly have no notes for this book. It was stellar from start to finish. The way the author kept the momentum going and gave a history lesson was superb. The action: A+.

I have been singing this book's praises for weeks and have no plan on stopping. One of the books for the summer, for sure.

Can't wait for the sequel.

I thought I knew what to expect but this was a wild ride. A trigger warning is needed for everybody. Just when you think you're ready, you're NOT. The premise, the plot, the writing, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. This is an excellent debut.

DNF at 25% - I was really looking forward to this book but the detailed descriptions of the abuse and torture of the enslaved people felt like overkill. There was so much in such a short amount of time that I kept getting lost in the purpose of the story. I was hoping there would be a better balance of the realities of slavery with the fantasy elements and lore of vampires

I’ve been on a major vampire kick lately after watching Sinners, and Blood Slaves did not disappoint! This book delivered everything I was craving — dark, intense, and completely addictive. The world-building was captivating, the characters were well-developed, and the story kept me hooked from start to finish. It had the perfect balance of action, tension, and emotion. If you’re looking for a fresh take on vampire stories that still feels satisfyingly classic, Blood Slaves is a must-read. I can’t wait to dive into more books like this!

4.5 ⭐️

Wow, this book was amazing! I was hooked from beginning to end. The writing was so vivid! I could picture the battles and really feel what each character was going through. There’s a lot to take away from this story, but it never felt preachy. Honestly, it felt like watching a really good show. I definitely recommend it, but just a heads up, it’s a heavy read, so make sure to check the trigger warnings first!

Thank you Markus Redmond, Kensington Publishing, and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

5 stars. This was gripping, violent (without being grotesque) and a valuable add to vampire lore. He did a great job not falling into certain traps with characters and I was on the edge of seat. I have so many questions but I am mostly just very satisfied with this read.

I received this arc from NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. Although I received a free copy, I am not being paid for this review, which is my honest opinion.

This book mixes alternative history, a revenge story, and supernatural horror. Set on a plantation during slavery, our MC Willie, a slave, meets the last of an ancient African vampire tribe, who offers a way to freedom 150 years before the Civil War.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and started it right after watching Sinners (directed by Ryan Coogler). I read this in under 2 days and look forward to a sequel!

Check the triggers because this is a heavy read due to its depiction of slavery and its impacts. Also, do not skip the forward because it puts the entire book into this beautiful perspective.

This read had me on a rollercoaster ride of emotions.

I got enraged because of the injustice of it all, I felt anger at the way opinions were imposed, I got truly sad at the violations taking place, I was jubilous when we reached the find out stage, and reading this was not only enjoyment there was some enlightenment as well.

I had to remind myself at various points in time that this was fiction, because the writing was so vivid I saw it all taking place when reading. Mr. Redmond truly wrote the mess out of this book, and I can't wait to read more.

Brava Mr. Redmond!

✨Book Review✨

Title: Blood Slaves
Author: Markus Redmond
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 392
5⭐️

Released July 29, 2025

Blood Slaves had a LOT of my favorite things!

Can you really call it a horror story when you're rooting for the monsters?

✨Historical settings
✨Themes of resistance and justice.
✨Supernatural elements and
✨Morally complex revenge plot

If you've read...
James
Tangleroot
Daughter of the Merciful Deep
Immortal Dark
Fledgling
... please, PLEASE read this one!

#UrbanFiction #historicalfiction #Sportsromance #Fantasy#suspense #romance #Thriller #Fantasy #Romantasy #fiction #indie #indieread #readthistoday #readwithKC #ebook #boox #kindle #MoodReader #BOTM #bookreviewer #BookClub #ImmersionReading

Blood Slaves

Markus Redmond’s concept - well deserved retribution rains down on racists/white slave owners when the enslaved protagonist Willy crosses paths with a new kind of vampire - is a grabby one, especially in a time of cultural reinterpretation. The debut novelist’s plot concept perhaps owes more to Quentin Tarrantino’s Django Unchained, Kill Bill and Inglourious Basterds than it does Bram Stoker and his spawn, in that it sets up scum of the earth bad guys who deserved to be fully reaped for their evil by a dire reckoning force. There is a passing mention of avoiding sunlight, by Rafazi, last of the Ramanga Tribe in Ghana of the year 1407, and his requisite need for blood, preferably human blood to survive as the undead. There are also glowing eyes and a perplexing bit about a forehead that engorges and extends when the ghoulish creature is supernaturally aroused by blood. Readers know right away that Redmond is dispensing with the usual vampire vibe. 

Pitted between the ancient wiles of Rafazi and the rapacity and casual torture and homicide of the slave owners are Willy and Gertie, sweet, steadfast lovers who hang on to their humanity and inherent decency. Though the premise is strong, the prose and story has deficits.

The opening, media res during a battle in Ghana, could have been very exciting but is marred by clunky expository dumps which overshadow what is happening right now. Deep past expositions explaining how we got here would have better served the heart of the story. Characters are thin; the sneering, menacing tobacco chewing good old boys, trembling, victimized women just trying to keep their head down, the booming voiced, physically large white landowner who feels entitled to everything. They feel less like people with individual goals than blank canvases upon which to etch deep suffering or pure evil. Extended scenes of torture and rape and violence which focus on what is happening to people does not reveal their character further.

During the rape scene especially, women are handled like puppets or props, helpless objects of male gaze. The idea that the rape was happening as much to the unborn child of the victim was a piece I think women may struggle with, as I certainly did. The shorthand plot and character development combined with highly charged emotional scene deposits the book in melodrama. There is a lot of social commentary/instructive fiction out there these days, so even campy melodrama can be a relief, but I feel this book could have been more, gone deeper, been more refined with steady editorial.

Redmond writes using African American Vernacular English, telling much of the story from inside the language of the main characters, in their time and place. However, the deployment of dialog leans generally into declarative, character tropes, lacking nuance or personality. The antagonists especially give into frequent monologuing, telescoping their every action and undercutting what could be even more brutal violence by allowing the acts to exist, blunt, harsh and horrific. When rummaging around in horror, wrestling with evil, less dialog is often more, just as seeing the monster too much breaks the delicious spell of other worlds. All of this may be intentional, though. The breezy high flown description and on the nose dialog from tropey characters put together with the painted claw hand crushing a plantation in its grip on the cover adds up to a rompy B movie vibe. Tarrantino certainly hip-waded in the waters of B movie while adding heft to the pantheon of American cinema. Schadenfreude may well be best served with a side of cheese.

I am of the belief that the vampire myth persists with the tenacity it does because of the potent mix of sex and death - inevitabilities for life. The meat of Blood Slaves however, is revenge and rebalancing power. I frequently wondered while reading it if a better supernatural beast to tear the overseers apart might not be zombies unstoppable and swarming, or atavistic werewolves suggesting we as humans are never far from our animalistic roots, or even a shapeshifter like Carpenter’s The Thing. I think we can all relate to the idea of longing for a huge, punishing force, or being able to appeal to the avenging God of the Old Testament to right wrongs by taking eyes for eyes and teeth for teeth.

I applaud the authors’ urges here in setting up purely evil bad guys so we can really enjoy deep schadenfreude when they get theirs. But the vampire lore-ist in me hankers for what is forbidden and offered in the vampire myth: forbidden sex, forbidden desires, transgressions between the worlds of the living and the dead, possibly some rumination on moralizing, or on the ephemerality of youth and life. Maybe they don’t need to be counts, but encountering a vampire in the trenches of a foul human filth-filled latrine as Redmond shows? This might prove too radical a departure from the genre to still be considered operating within the genre… Some vampire snobs may be turned off. New hybrid vampire/vengeance fans may be born. I predict the book will divide readers on that front.

It's an interesting take on vampire - origin story, based on African Mythology and history. It's a historical horror novel. The novel has a vivid writing style ( especially the fight scenes) and layer of detailed messages. If you're a fan of Stephen Graham Jones's works, especially his latest book, The Buffalo Hunter Hunter, you might also like this book even though the two books deal with vampires horror in different way.
Scariness: 2
Unsettling: 2
Intriguing: 3
The book comes out in July.

Thank you for the ARC for the review.

The description of this book had me intrigued especially after watching Sinners.

After reading this book I had to sit on it a few days because it was just that good. It had me questioning myself on what we define as good vs evil and how its not black and white as we tend to think it is as a society.

The question I kept asking myself was : Would I have done the same thing as Kwadzo or be more like Gertie was in the beginning? And honestly I do not know.

The trigger warnings in this book are spot on but I want to add that even though this book is about a slave and it does depict some of the horrors of slavery I didn't have to take a break as I do some books in this time period because of the added vampire element and what it signified.

The way this author organized and wrote this story was phenomenal. The writing was very immersive and I loved loved how everything wrapped up in the end.

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for an ARC of Blood Slaves in exchange for my honest review.