"A strong storyline that, with some editing, could become a brilliant book."
‘Bloodlines’ by Marcus Abston is an historical fiction and book one of ‘A Dying Truth Exposed’. We see a family come together and grandfather Albert Brooks keen to educate his grandchildren about their heritage. We then head back in time, as the story of Albert’s great-great-grandmother Annabelle unfolds. This is an interesting story, filled with trials and difficulties as Annabelle grows up a house servant in Mississippi before escaping to the North. This book is clearly well-researched, down to each state’s attitudes towards slavery and how harshly enslaved people were treated in each region. I liked Annabelle and her strong sense of character that is demonstrated in the younger character and allows her to endure the heinous actions of others as she gets older. I also liked the welcoming nature of the friends that she meets on the first part of this journey. I feel that the writing in some places could benefit from further editing to make the book as a whole more fluid. For example, “said” is used a lot, so changing up the structure in order to “show” the reader what’s happening as opposed to “telling” them would create a more entertaining reading experience. I found that the descriptions and setting of the 1800s part of the story was well-executed, but found the contemporary setting of the first chapter a bit clunky, a means to an end to get into the story. I’m curious to know what happens in the rest of Annabelle’s story, and whether the series will follow her descendants as well. ‘Bloodlines’ is a story of heartache and harrowing challenges as well as the faith and strength needed to overcome both. It’s a story that emphasises how important it is to remember your ancestors, the fights and struggles they faced and the way that forms a part of your identity today. I liked that this book includes African American heritage, with the implication that Native American heritage will also become intertwined later in ‘A Dying Truth Exposed’. A strong storyline that, with some editing, could become a brilliant book.
Charlotte Walker, A LoveReading Ambassador
| Primary Genre | Historical Fiction |
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