Wow. Just wow. I am usually a slow reader but this shorter book ( thank you!) had me not found anything else but reading. I couldn’t put it down! I knew bad things would happen but they were wrapped in a storyline that just kept me on edge! Thank you Tobin Elliott for the opportunity to read your first book, as well as a chance to read the next 2. I look forward to it! ( )

Hypnotic, disturbing, impeccable, but with some trigger warnings needed

Okay let's do this. SEMI-SPOILERS. No plot summaries here I'll let the book do the talking. You'll get why that's funny later.

How's your stomach for animal murder? Good?
That's warning number 1.
How's your tolerance for depictions of sexual abuse of a minor?
That's warning number 2.

Unfortunately, those two are precisely my Hell No's. Both were written stomach churningly well, but I had to take a star off for them because Jesus, I'm only human and it's going to ruin some unsuspecting reader's whole evening.

Still here? Well let me tell you why I finished this book. The writing is that.damn.good. Author Elliot takes you into the mind of a child psychopath with such disarming ease and effortless skill that you get the impression that you're reading a master at work. I felt as comfortable being discomforted as I would reading a King or Koontz or watching Francis Ford Coppola turn Jack Nicholson insane. You know what's happening to Talia (retaliation - as Elliot states - nice) and you're disturbed by it but Bad Blood's narrative momentum is so strong that I finished it despite the 2 things I hate... Instead of SLEEPING. And y'all, I love my sleep.

It's impeccable in its writing, characterization of characters, and mood. The plot is good, if a little open-ended, as it's only book 1.

I'd be interested to see where the Book goes next. And to what happens to Talia. Author Elliot has promised us answers to both, so sign me up!

Should you read it? No, you whackjob -- did you see the warnings??
Ok yeah, read it but don't hold me responsible, I did warn you!
It's good, about very bad things.

( )