Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Honestly, this was very disappointing. I feel like the author did extensive research on vampirism in ancient Africa; however it barely came to fruition. I would’ve liked to have seen a little more of the lore or explored more of the powers and abilities. Unfortunately, we are just met with 60% of the book being trauma porn.
I’m assuming the goal was to show how horrible colonizers were to slaves, but I highly doubt that anyone picking up this book is unfamiliar with the brutalities of chattel slavery. One or two scenes would’ve done the trick, but it became gratuitous for violence sake. (PLEASE check the trigger warnings before reading this.) The white people in the book were almost unbelievable with how racist they were. There was no room for “nuance”. I’m not sure how else to word that because I don’t believe slave owners should be depicted in a favorable light, but the way they were written was almost cartoonishly villainous, with slurs every other word. It was just all SO much.

I was also unsure of the goal of the story. There were conflicting narratives throughout that I found frustrating as well as problematic. One of the main characters was very focused on remaining docile as to not anger the slave owners and kept putting down the slaves that had a desire to revolt. It was written in a way where I think we were supposed to be sympathetic to her, but I wasn’t at all. Additionally, one of the features of vampirism was “strength” — not just the body but the mind as well, and the way this manifested was in “improved” speech. This resulted in every vampire speaking clearly and eloquently, which means that the way they spoke before was not acceptable? It was an odd choice for sure. On top of all of this, the indigenous representation felt lazy and thrown in just because someone might ask “what were the native Americans doing at this time?”

Overall, the blueprint is there, but this definitely needs some more work. Too much time was spent on showing the torturous conditions of the slaves, and not enough time was spent on lore and the actual climax and resolution.

1st of all, be mindful of your triggers cause this has them all! Even as someone who is familiar with the atrocities and brutality of slavery, it was a lot. You will definitely feel angry if you read this. However, these are the events that lead Kwadzo down the path for revenge. I appreciated that the different characters displayed the different sides of morality. Should we be good or fight evil with evil? I do wish that we got more on the Ramanga people and that we got to the revenge sooner.

I am truly honored to have been able to read this story before release.

Blood Slaves is a raw, truthful depiction of what Black people endured during slavery. Take out the vampire aspect for a second, and you have a story of what Black people could have done if they'd had the means and opportunity to fight back.

This is a graphic story; both the daily abuse against the slaves and their revenge on the Plantation owner and his white family and friends.

The characters were very well written. I actually enjoyed that not everyone jumped at the chance to become a vampire. They finally had a moment where they could use their voices, and they could choose to do what they felt was right for them. What was right for their families and the community.

It wasn't just a rage-filled story about revenge. There was so much more to it and to the characters.

The love between Willie/Kwadzo and Gertie was strong but complicated. They both had to choose between what they felt was right or wrong, good or evil. It made their relationship feel more real. In the end, I believe they both made the right choices.

The friendships and connections between the slaves were also strong. They had more love and respect for each other than any of the white people had for their own flesh and blood. Irene was one of my favorites.

This piece of work is heartbreaking, breathtaking, and so very important for everyone to read.

So beautifully written, characters were written so raw. The overall story was so engaging and had me on edge with every page turn. Fans of vampires will love this and the plot twist at the end had me shocked!! Loved this book and highly recommend.

To begin with, Blood Slaves is not for the weak of heart. Its message is unabashedly bold, graphic, and raw. However, if you're searching for a story that combines elements of supernatural vengeance, revolution, and fire, this one is sure to make an impression.

This book challenges the slave narrative by posing a compelling "what if": what if Black people had the ability—and the opportunity—to fully resist the atrocities of slavery? The solution? They would. Each and every time. And for that reason alone, Blood Slaves is a worthwhile, rage-fueled experience.

Without a doubt, my favorite character was Kwadzo. It was amazing to watch him develop, battle, and train to become a more powerful Ramangan—a type of supernatural warrior.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest rating.

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.