Thank You Kensington Publishing and Net Galley for the ARC

Above all else this book is an exquisitely satisfying tale of revenge.

The vampire lore is unique and brings a fresh perspective on the classic monster while also being recognizable and approachable enough for any genre fan.

That being said anyone who reads the blurb on the back will have a good idea going in that perhaps the vampires are not the monsters of the story.

This book isn’t expectedly hard read with graphic descriptions of violence, racism, sexual assault misogyny, and unspeakable cruelties that while they make sense in the time. This book takes place in, are the less harrowing to see depicted on the page.

It speaks to Redmond’s craft that while we do have a few mustache twirling villains, we also have just as many, who are convinced that they are not evil. It offers an uncomfortable mirror to our current day society.

I appreciated and this may be a formatting thing that gets changed, but the double spacing it made it incredibly easy to read and hope that that stays in the final copy honestly.

The few things I did not love about this book was that although we see characters like Gertie try and rationalize that the vampires are evil it never really seems like that is the case. This was the only true narrative issue for me as a reader. However the violence against women is particularly horrific, though again seems. Accurate and commentary on how black women are treated by society as a whole. I would probably make sure to mention this if I were to recommend this book to anyone.

I’m looking forward to reading more by this author!

I was very intrigued by the plot description when I read about this book in an article talking about horror releases for the year, especially since being a huge fan of the “Blade” films but also of the short-lived Netflix series featuring a Black vampire hunting family and sapphic romance, I have been wanting more in that vein (no pun intended). Last year’s “Immortal Dark” by Tigest Girma definitely helped satisfy that thirst, so I was very intrigued going into “Blood Slaves” by Markus Redmond. It starts in the 1400s in Africa. The atmosphere called to mind some of the origin story of the vampire in “Blacula” who also had a similar background as an African prince before he was turned into a vampire against his will. The protagonist, Rafazi’s, Maker warns him that hunters (or someone else) have developed a poison that can harm even vampires and kill them, and that they have to be careful because anyone who drinks from a human carrying it in their blodostream will be left vulnerable so that hunters can kill that vampire easily. It reminded me of “The Woman King” but if there were vampires with a vivid opening and sadly — intertwining history with the fiction, Rafazi is picked up by enslavers and forced across the Middle Passage to become an enslaved person in one of the Carolinas in 1710 in what would become the united States. Two enslaved people are running away from a plantation with bloodhounds on their trails. The next chapter lets readers know that the plantation in question that the enslaved were trying to escape is the Barrow Plantation, with the main planter called James or “Big Jim.” He has a young son, Thomas, who is 12, and a wife, Charity.

The novel will remind readers of “The Gilda Stories” and Octavia Butler’s “Kindred” and at the same time, is steeped in a vividness of its own.

This read right here was beyond emotional and captivating! Loved this 100%....now with that being said, I didn't know what to expect with this book. This book is well written in my opinion, it takes you on a journey through one plantations journey through being enslaved. Rafazi's character brings forth an ancient old tale that had been repeated throughout centuries, the tale of evil vs good.
Willie's character is comparable to and can represent what everyone goes through on a daily basis in life, decisions of should I or should I not. The love story between Willie & Gertie gives another depth to this story that causes you to feel each other's plight when making their decisions. Each and every supporting character gives such depth to this story that you won't be able to stop flipping the pages. To read this, you have to understand that this is a heavy yet powerful read especially for POC and adding the elements of immortality and vampires makes this read fantastic! I would compare this to a mix between Beloved, DJango and Blade! Full of action with a believable storyline. I highly recommend this for those who want something different to read!

Content warning: this does have content on racism with racial slurs, the rape of men, women, and children, and killings.

4.5 star read

Thanks to Kensington Publishing/Dafina for this ARC of 'Blood Slaves' by Markus Redmond.

I recently read Stephen Graham Jones' 'The Buffalo Hunter Hunter,' a Native American-focused vampire novel set at the turn of the 20th century so was very happy to see and receive 'Blood Slaves,' a vampire novel set in the early 1700s during the horrific depths of the Southern slavery era, and hoped it would be a good 'un. I wasn't disappointed.

We're launched into the story as a group of Ramangans (vampires) are running riot through an African village at the same time as slavers were coming through to rip these people from their homes to feed the voracious machine of cotton and rice production in the southern United States. One vampire - Rafazi - survives a blood plague and is swept up in this people trafficking.

We're then deposited into the vile Caroline Barrow Plantation where the enslaved people are treated abominably by the overseers and owner, Big Jim. What transpires is a tale of empowerment, revenge, and retribution as Rafazi takes on Willie as his first creation for decades and they plot the overthrow of the white bosses and the seizure of the plantation to work with the original Native American population.

This is a violent and righteously angry novel with graphic description of the real abuse rained on the enslaved people and the supernatural deaths rained down on the white overclass. This is a brutal novel about brutal and unforgiveable times.

Congratulations to Markus Redmond on this achievement.

When I first read the description of Blood Slaves, I was immediately struck by the power of its premise. The idea of blending vampire mythology with an alternate history of enslaved people rising up against their oppressors felt both bold and necessary. When I was approved to read an early copy, the author’s note made the story’s impact even stronger. Markus Redmond initially set out to write an incredible vampire novel, and he absolutely succeeded. However, the events of summer 2020—particularly the murder of George Floyd and the continued injustices faced by the Black community—deeply influenced the direction of the book. Redmond channeled that energy into creating an African-origin vampire myth, the Ramanga, within a story that powerfully reimagines resistance and liberation.

This novel resonated with me on many levels, especially given the social climate we find ourselves in once again. The fusion of African mythology and history felt fresh and unique, and I loved seeing it unfold. In recent years, I’ve been drawn to African mythology and folklore, and I’m not sure if it’s becoming more mainstream or if I’m simply noticing it more—but either way, I’ve really enjoyed exploring stories influenced by it.

Growing up in the South, the historical realities depicted in Blood Slaves are all too familiar, making parts of the novel difficult to read. But that’s the point, isn’t it? Stories like this aren’t meant to be easy—they’re meant to be powerful, unsettling, and thought-provoking. The novel doesn’t shy away from brutality, but it also delivers moments of deep satisfaction. Without giving away spoilers, I found the reclaiming of certain aspects of history and the alliances formed by the end to be incredibly rewarding.

A few random thoughts: When I first saw Markus Redmond’s name, I knew it sounded familiar, and then his author’s note reminded me—of course, I recognize him from his acting career! Another random thing—throughout the eARC, Blood Slaves was repeatedly printed in the middle of sentences (probably a formatting issue for the physical book), and I couldn’t help but read it out loud every time like it was some kind of ominous chant.

As for the writing itself, I think Redmond’s background in acting played a role in how vividly descriptive his storytelling is. Every death at the manor was gruesome and visceral, yet after witnessing the cruelty endured by the enslaved characters, I found the vengeance to be deeply satisfying. There were also a few things I was left wondering about—like what Kwadzo ultimately became and how they managed to do that to the dog (seriously, I need answers!).

Overall, I really enjoyed Blood Slaves. It was a tough read at times, but it was also a necessary one. If this is Markus Redmond’s debut novel, I can’t wait to see what he does next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing | Dafina for the early eARC of this work.

"Blood Slaves" is a gripping and eerie tale that deftly combines horror, historical fiction, and social criticism. Set in 1710 on a Southern plantation, the novel immerses readers in the horrible realities of slavery, with unimaginable pain setting the stage for an explosive twist of vampiric revenge. Willie, the protagonist, has endured horrific brutality at the hands of his captors, so his change into a vampire is more than just a plot device; it is a visceral act of freedom. Blood Slaves, with its rich characters, stark emotional depth, and action-packed storytelling, does more than merely shock readers; it also encourages them to consider themes of freedom, power, and retribution.

"Monsters come in many forms," Kwadzo said. "I'm looking at one right now."

WHO WOULD THIS BOOK APPEAL TO
Those who enjoy historical fiction. The heavy topics in the book are one to watch out for, slavery being the central theme. Horror fans can unite with a fresh vampire story. Also, it can look appealing to those who enjoy fantasy but want to dive into the darker side. With complex characters and action-packed storytelling, it is a blend of horror, history and social justice.

FINAL THOUGHTS
Whoa, this historical horror set in a Southern Plantation in 1710 covers some heavy and uncomfortable topics all whilst blending in vampire lore. I had an emotional time with his book and its topics as the set up is a necessary evil. Being witness to these acts against the slaves sets the tone for why the main character makes the choices and the extreme measures he takes to gain freedom. Overall all this book is one to look out for!

Timely, scary, and a blast to read. I have so much to say about this one that it won't all fit here, so I'm saving most of it for a much longer review piece on my blog for the book's official release date. Highly recommend this not just to horror fans but also to fans of historical fiction in general or just anyone having a tough time with the current political climate. Markus Redmond's foreword lays out why he felt the need to write this book right now and it helped contextualize things for me in a big way. Don't worry, vampire fans -- it's not all political, there's plenty of blood. But like ALL good horror, there's a lot more bubbling under the surface in this one.

Blood Slaves is a brilliant blend of vampiric horror and alternate history. Set on a Southern plantation in 1710, we follow enslaved man Willie as he suffers at the hands of Big Jim Barrow and his underlings. The first half of this book is an emotionally tough read, with our enslaved cast of characters being subjected to beatings and rapes, alongside inhumane working and living conditions. But that painful setup is necessary, not only because it’s true to life, but because witnessing the abuse allows the reader to fully understand why Willie would be driven to extreme measures—i.e. becoming a vampire—in pursuit of freedom.

At its heart, Blood Slaves is a bloody story of revenge. Anger crackles off the pages as the injustices mount and mount, leading to a satisfyingly blood-drenched conclusion once the fangs come out.

This work was incredible, historical fiction at it's best. Where else but the civil war could vampires be better used? The strong emotions, the lore, the incredible cast of characters-there was no part of this that didn't work for me. I particularly loved how descriptive the fight scene was. I feel like it was almost cinematic, and I would absolutely watch a series or movie adaptation for this. I think it's going to a be a huge hit, and this writer has a bright future. 10/10, no notes.