Title: Blood Ties
Author: Mari Mancusi
First published July 22, 2011
242 pages, Paperback
Rating: 4.11
Overview
Mari Mancusi’s Blood Ties is a captivating tale of love, loyalty, and sacrifice that will leave you craving for more. Sunny is torn between her undying love for Magnus, her vampire boyfriend, and her desire to save the life of the mortal Jayden, who once rescued her from the clutches of death.
As Jayden’s humanity hangs in the balance, Sunny must make a choice that could have deadly consequences. Meanwhile, the Blood Coven is preparing for a fierce battle against a rogue group of Slayers that could end in catastrophic outcomes.
Who will emerge victorious in this epic showdown between Vampires and Slayers? Will Sunny have to pay the ultimate price to save the ones she loves?
Find out in Blood Ties.
About the Author
Mari Mancusi spent her childhood in Massachusetts, where the north wind meets the sea, but now calls Texas home because she adores summer and tacos. Previously an Emmy Award-winning TV news producer, Mari is now a writer of over 24 books for kids, teens, and adults, primarily in the sci-fi/fantasy genre.
Mari is passionate about traveling, video games, and cosplaying. She is also a proud mother to an eight-year-old Frozen fanatic who considers her to be her hero (although she did mention Kristin Bell too).
Connect with Mari on her website. She’s acquainted with a few Samanthas.
Editoral Review
Blood Ties by Mari Mancusi is a thrilling young adult novel that explores the complex relationship between two sisters who are also vampire slayers. Mancusi is an accomplished author who has written many young adult novels, including the Blood Coven series and the Scorched trilogy.
Blood Ties was first published on July 22, 2011, and has since been praised for its engaging plot, well-developed characters, and clever use of vampire mythology.
The novel is set in Boston and follows the story of two sisters, Sunny and Rayne McDonald, who are vampire slayers. Sunny is the responsible elder sister who takes her duty as a slayer very seriously, while Rayne is more rebellious and eager to prove herself.
When Sunny is bitten by a vampire, she becomes a vampire herself, and the sisters must race against time to find a cure before Sunny becomes a full-fledged vampire. Along the way, they encounter a powerful vampire who is determined to stop them, as well as a handsome vampire who may hold the key to their salvation.
Blood Ties is a well-crafted novel that successfully blends elements of horror, romance, and action. Mancusi has created a rich and detailed world that is both believable and compelling, and her characters are fully realized and engaging.
The novel explores themes of family, loyalty, and self-sacrifice, and Mancusi handles these themes with sensitivity and skill.
One of the strengths of Blood Ties is its well-paced and suspenseful plot. The novel is packed with action and adventure, and the tension builds steadily throughout the book.
The characters are also well-drawn, with distinct personalities and motivations that make them feel like real people. Mancusi also expertly weaves in elements of vampire mythology, creating a world that is both familiar and fresh.
However, there are some limitations to the novel. The romance between Sunny and the handsome vampire, Magnus, feels a bit forced and clichéd at times, and some readers may find the ending a bit predictable.
Additionally, some of the secondary characters are not as well-developed as the main characters, and their motivations and actions can feel a bit arbitrary at times.
Despite these limitations, Blood Ties is a highly enjoyable and entertaining novel that will appeal to fans of the young adult genre. Mancusi’s writing is engaging and skillful, and her ability to blend horror, romance, and action is impressive.
The novel is also culturally significant, as it explores themes of family and loyalty that are relevant to many readers. Overall, Blood Ties is a must-read for fans of young adult fiction, and is sure to leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.
Rating: 4/5 stars
