What do you think?
Rate this book
Spirit Animals #3
Blood Ties
The adventure continues in this third book of the epic multiplatform fantasy series.
Erdas is a land of balance. A rare link, the spirit animal bond, bridges the human and animal worlds. Conor, Abeke, Meilin, and Rollan each have this gift-and the grave responsibility that comes with it.
But the Conquerors are trying to destroy this balance. They're swallowing whole cities in their rush for power-including Meilin's home. Fed up with waiting and ready to fight, Meilin has set off into enemy territory with her spirit animal, a panda named Jhi. Her friends aren't far behind . . . but they're not the only ones.
The enemy is everywhere.
Erdas is a land of balance. A rare link, the spirit animal bond, bridges the human and animal worlds. Conor, Abeke, Meilin, and Rollan each have this gift-and the grave responsibility that comes with it.
But the Conquerors are trying to destroy this balance. They're swallowing whole cities in their rush for power-including Meilin's home. Fed up with waiting and ready to fight, Meilin has set off into enemy territory with her spirit animal, a panda named Jhi. Her friends aren't far behind . . . but they're not the only ones.
The enemy is everywhere.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2014
368 people are currently reading
4073 people want to read
About the author
Garth Nix
236 books14.9k followersGarth Nix was born in 1963 in Melbourne, Australia, to the sound of the Salvation Army band outside playing 'Hail the Conquering Hero Comes' or possibly 'Roll Out the Barrel'. Garth left Melbourne at an early age for Canberra (the federal capital) and stayed there till he was nineteen, when he left to drive around the UK in a beat-up Austin with a boot full of books and a Silver-Reed typewriter.
Despite a wheel literally falling off the Austin, Garth survived to return to Australia and study at the University of Canberra. After finishing his degree in 1986 he worked in a bookshop, then as a book publicist, a publisher's sales representative, and editor. Along the way he was also a part-time soldier in the Australian Army Reserve, serving in an Assault Pioneer platoon for four years. Garth left publishing to work as a public relations and marketing consultant from 1994-1997, till he became a full-time writer in 1998. He did that for a year before joining Curtis Brown Australia as a part-time literary agent in 1999. In January 2002 Garth went back to dedicated writer again, despite his belief that full-time writing explains the strange behaviour of many authors.
He now lives in Sydney with his wife, two sons and lots of books.
Despite a wheel literally falling off the Austin, Garth survived to return to Australia and study at the University of Canberra. After finishing his degree in 1986 he worked in a bookshop, then as a book publicist, a publisher's sales representative, and editor. Along the way he was also a part-time soldier in the Australian Army Reserve, serving in an Assault Pioneer platoon for four years. Garth left publishing to work as a public relations and marketing consultant from 1994-1997, till he became a full-time writer in 1998. He did that for a year before joining Curtis Brown Australia as a part-time literary agent in 1999. In January 2002 Garth went back to dedicated writer again, despite his belief that full-time writing explains the strange behaviour of many authors.
He now lives in Sydney with his wife, two sons and lots of books.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 434 reviews
March 3, 2014
I can see why my students like this series. There is plenty of nonstop action. However, that is part of my problem with this book. I realize it is a series but many of the events seemed to just drop off and not have any wrap up to the event. In a series some events should be left open ended to follow up in the next book. But many of the events left you wondering how it got from here to there. For instance, the General went off to fight the conquerors in the bamboo maze and the next thing you know about him is that he is joining the fight at Dinesh's temple. How did he get there? Why would he know to be there? That was only one of the many places where there weren't enough details to allow you to follow the plotline. The settings were described very well, you could almost see, hear, and smell the places. This was a vey clever idea but poor in execution. It seemed like a copy of the 39 clues series but with spirit animals. This book was given to me as an advanced reader copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 13, 2019
Heeeeey, I am starting to enjoy these books! Plowing through them like one would plow through candy...
April 18, 2019
~*Check out all my reviews over on The Bent Bookworm!*~
3/5 stars. The third in the Spirit Animals series, Blood Ties moves the quest of the four Chosen kids - Conor, Abeke, Meilin, and Rollan - onward. This time they are searching for the talisman of the Great Beast Dinesh (the elephant). After the startling end to the second book, this one picks up right after those events, and for the first two-thirds has separate timelines following the separated parties.
The separation of the group really made this book struggle. There was so much back and forth that it was really annoying and a bit confusing. Also, the writing is kind of awkward at times - I think Nix is used to writing for an older audience, and struggled some with writing a middle grade.
The last third of the book is what saved it from a lower star rating. The battle scene was well-written, and the ending broke my heart. As usual, the next step in the quest is revealed as well, and that sounds extremely interesting.
Blog | Twitter | Bloglovin | Instagram |
3/5 stars. The third in the Spirit Animals series, Blood Ties moves the quest of the four Chosen kids - Conor, Abeke, Meilin, and Rollan - onward. This time they are searching for the talisman of the Great Beast Dinesh (the elephant). After the startling end to the second book, this one picks up right after those events, and for the first two-thirds has separate timelines following the separated parties.
The separation of the group really made this book struggle. There was so much back and forth that it was really annoying and a bit confusing. Also, the writing is kind of awkward at times - I think Nix is used to writing for an older audience, and struggled some with writing a middle grade.
The last third of the book is what saved it from a lower star rating. The battle scene was well-written, and the ending broke my heart. As usual, the next step in the quest is revealed as well, and that sounds extremely interesting.
Blog | Twitter | Bloglovin | Instagram |
August 19, 2017
3 stelle e mezzo
Ma quanto mi piace questa serie?!
Libro dopo libro i personaggi mutano, cambiano, maturano e si trasformano.
Questo è il volume della trasformazione, dell’accettazione e della tragedia. La tragedia della guerra che colpisce con ferocia, senza esclusione di colpi e senza distinzioni. Gli autori hanno fatto un ottimo lavoro, non hanno indorato la pillola ma hanno, giustamente, evitato scene splatter che avrebbero potuto benissimo urtare la sensibilità dei lettori più piccolini. Quello che viene fuori è, però, un libro sostanzialmente armonico.
È il libro della svolta dove finalmente Abeke, Meilin Conor e Rolland accettano il loro compito e uniscono le rispettive forze (aiutati da i potenti e dolcissimi spiriti animali) per il raggiungimento di un fine comune: salvare Erdas dalla guerra imminente.
Tutti i volumi di questa serie si divorano in poco tempo, tutti hanno un significato implicito che il lettore (sia esso grande o piccino) deve riuscire a captare e a capire. I 4 protagonisti stanno crescendo, cresce il loro modo di percepire il mondo, crescono i loro poteri e con essi la responsabilità delle loro azioni.
Ora come ora, sono troppo curiosa!
Non vedo l’ora di poter mettere le mani sul 4° volume!
Ma quanto mi piace questa serie?!
Libro dopo libro i personaggi mutano, cambiano, maturano e si trasformano.
Questo è il volume della trasformazione, dell’accettazione e della tragedia. La tragedia della guerra che colpisce con ferocia, senza esclusione di colpi e senza distinzioni. Gli autori hanno fatto un ottimo lavoro, non hanno indorato la pillola ma hanno, giustamente, evitato scene splatter che avrebbero potuto benissimo urtare la sensibilità dei lettori più piccolini. Quello che viene fuori è, però, un libro sostanzialmente armonico.
È il libro della svolta dove finalmente Abeke, Meilin Conor e Rolland accettano il loro compito e uniscono le rispettive forze (aiutati da i potenti e dolcissimi spiriti animali) per il raggiungimento di un fine comune: salvare Erdas dalla guerra imminente.
Tutti i volumi di questa serie si divorano in poco tempo, tutti hanno un significato implicito che il lettore (sia esso grande o piccino) deve riuscire a captare e a capire. I 4 protagonisti stanno crescendo, cresce il loro modo di percepire il mondo, crescono i loro poteri e con essi la responsabilità delle loro azioni.
Ora come ora, sono troppo curiosa!
Non vedo l’ora di poter mettere le mani sul 4° volume!
December 19, 2015
Meilin leaves the group to join her father in defending their homeland from the Conquerors. Meanwhile. Conor, Abeke, and Rollan journey to the Lake of the Elephant to retrieve the third talisman, the Slate Elephant, and keep it out of the hands of the enemy. Their quest takes them deep into the jungle where Rollan becomes seriously ill. They decide to take an easier route through the land of the Rhino Riders, but this plan is more dangerous, as they soon discover. They're captured by the tribe and told Rollan will die before sunset the next day. With Conquerors closing in, the children will need the help of their Great Beasts to save Rollan and complete the quest.
I still haven't been able to get my hands on the first book in the series! I recommend you read the first two books before reading this one. Each book is written by a different, well-known author. The characters seem to be bonding more with their animals in this book, and the animals are developing more character. Jhi, the Giant Panda, is slow-moving and annoyingly calm, which makes Meilin a bit crazy. Rollan's falcon is pretty independent and doesn't always seem to listen to him. Abeke and Conor work well with their leopard and wolf. The kids are still learning to act as a team, and they're learning to trust the instincts and senses of their spirit animals. The plot leads the characters through challenging settings, and the authors throw in battles along the way. It's an interesting journey, and animal lovers will enjoy it too.
I still haven't been able to get my hands on the first book in the series! I recommend you read the first two books before reading this one. Each book is written by a different, well-known author. The characters seem to be bonding more with their animals in this book, and the animals are developing more character. Jhi, the Giant Panda, is slow-moving and annoyingly calm, which makes Meilin a bit crazy. Rollan's falcon is pretty independent and doesn't always seem to listen to him. Abeke and Conor work well with their leopard and wolf. The kids are still learning to act as a team, and they're learning to trust the instincts and senses of their spirit animals. The plot leads the characters through challenging settings, and the authors throw in battles along the way. It's an interesting journey, and animal lovers will enjoy it too.
January 21, 2015
This book takes place in many cities stretching over a long length. The conquerors have taken over zong and meilin travels there to find her father. While seeking out for the talisman, the slate elephant from dineish the green cloaks do not receive any warm welcomes from the people they meet, in fact, they meet very dangerous and courageous people who force them to work for a valuable life. Thus creating bad experiences and many tragedies through out there journey. They come across a very major problem even before seeing dines. They do not get very far without have a major problem.
May 13, 2014
This turgid series exhausts me, because I have to put so much effort into getting through the pages without my mind wandering off and thinking of all the books I've read that have done this story and done it better. I think the multi-platform, multi-author bit was interesting when it started, and "The 39 Clues" (in the beginning) really knew how to construct a compelling narrative. With "Spirit Animals", I don't know who to blame, the authors or the publishers, or both.
Some authors are very good at creating worlds, and more specifically, words within those worlds. J.R.R. Tolkien was very good at this. George R.R. Martin is very good. Brian Jacques was very good. J.K. Rowling is very good. Kelly Barnhill, I'm discovering, is very good. These authors all create words and worlds that feel organic, that feel real. The world of "Spirit Animals" feels flimsy thin and completely fake. The names and places all sound made up (by a third grader). It reminds me of George Costanza's made up name, "Art Vanderlay". It's just not real. And good fantasy should make you believe, even if only for the briefest of times, that it is real.
Some authors are very good at creating worlds, and more specifically, words within those worlds. J.R.R. Tolkien was very good at this. George R.R. Martin is very good. Brian Jacques was very good. J.K. Rowling is very good. Kelly Barnhill, I'm discovering, is very good. These authors all create words and worlds that feel organic, that feel real. The world of "Spirit Animals" feels flimsy thin and completely fake. The names and places all sound made up (by a third grader). It reminds me of George Costanza's made up name, "Art Vanderlay". It's just not real. And good fantasy should make you believe, even if only for the briefest of times, that it is real.
December 12, 2015
Reseñé el primero y el segundo para SM y, a pesar de que no han querido seguir colaborando conmigo en la reseña de esta saga, he querido saber qué ocurría con esta historia y me he hecho con el siguiente ejemplar (Otra vez será, SM).
Como ya os conté esta experiencia literaria, escrita a varias plumas (por escritores conocidísimos de la literatura juvenil), cada vez se pone más interesante.
Son unos libritos de no más de doscientas páginas que os harán pasar un buen rato y que recomiendo especialmente a los amantes de la naturaleza, los animales y a todo el que promueve el respeto por el medio ambiente en general...
Una historia de amistad, lealtad y perdón que aúna culturas, clases sociales y diversidad en la lucha por el bien común.
Más información próximamente en el blog:
http://francisforcoppola.blogspot.com...
Como ya os conté esta experiencia literaria, escrita a varias plumas (por escritores conocidísimos de la literatura juvenil), cada vez se pone más interesante.
Son unos libritos de no más de doscientas páginas que os harán pasar un buen rato y que recomiendo especialmente a los amantes de la naturaleza, los animales y a todo el que promueve el respeto por el medio ambiente en general...
Una historia de amistad, lealtad y perdón que aúna culturas, clases sociales y diversidad en la lucha por el bien común.
Más información próximamente en el blog:
http://francisforcoppola.blogspot.com...
July 21, 2024
I'm fully invested in these series now and I love it!
One thing I have to say is that the adults are letting down these children big time 😭 One adult caretaker of 4 children in dire need of training is insane.
Conor was being solely in charge of the Iron Boar and then vilified for taking the decision every 11 year old would take is ridiculous. The Greencloacks for all their resources and power had failed to secure Erdas's most important children's families and it's driving me crazy.
Same with Meilin - it's honestly not her fault she undertakes this risky journey on her own on the off chance that she'll be reunited with her father. The Greencloacks showed her they couldn't be trusted and the kids are on their own and she's acting on it.
Also the ending here??? These series are getting dark fast 🙈 But I really like them, they're truly good! I'm off to the next one!
One thing I have to say is that the adults are letting down these children big time 😭 One adult caretaker of 4 children in dire need of training is insane.
Conor was being solely in charge of the Iron Boar and then vilified for taking the decision every 11 year old would take is ridiculous. The Greencloacks for all their resources and power had failed to secure Erdas's most important children's families and it's driving me crazy.
Same with Meilin - it's honestly not her fault she undertakes this risky journey on her own on the off chance that she'll be reunited with her father. The Greencloacks showed her they couldn't be trusted and the kids are on their own and she's acting on it.
Also the ending here??? These series are getting dark fast 🙈 But I really like them, they're truly good! I'm off to the next one!
February 17, 2017
Continues the series, but pretty much all it does. Continues it. Pretty forgettable but still a totally fine series to read.
May 13, 2021
Remek ez a sorozat! I just love it. :)
March 1, 2017
Watch our heroes embark on a new adventure to collect the slate elephant from Dinesh the elephant great beast. Melin has run away to Zhong to find her father. The others are not far behind. Melin learns how powerful Jih the panda is. We see our heroes unite in the end and come together as a team. Many lives are lost in the final battle. This book is fantastic. A phenomenal book to anyone who loves books that switch between view often. This book knows how to keep you on your heels and introduces some great characters. I love the drama of when Rollan got the sunset death and had to be cured. That was very suspenseful. This story dose a good job of setting a mood. Anyone who likes animals and fantasy will like this book. This series compares to books like Ferals so if you like hat book you will like this book. I recommend Spirit Animals Blood Ties to everyone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2024
WOW! is this really meant for children 😱😱😱 these authors really wanted to pack in as much action as possible 😭
some character development was present yippee!
i just KNOW that the editors put in extra hours to make this series try to seem cohesive, but i fear deeper cracks in the world building will soon appear…
what i can’t excuse, though, is that these two white men made the chinese-coded lady use CHOPSTICKS as a weapon…?!?!?!?! BE SO FR
some character development was present yippee!
i just KNOW that the editors put in extra hours to make this series try to seem cohesive, but i fear deeper cracks in the world building will soon appear…
what i can’t excuse, though, is that these two white men made the chinese-coded lady use CHOPSTICKS as a weapon…?!?!?!?! BE SO FR
May 21, 2016
Very important things happened in this book that I completely forgot about...... 0.0
March 21, 2017
I really hate reading in rush. The book is on loan from another branch of Illinois library system and I'm not allow any more "renewals." But I did it...
This book started out calmly from book Two but as the story moves on, it got intense. Definitely emotional rides that can take you all sorts of places and really touch the sentimentalists. I want to cry, yell, laugh with joy, etc. Its intense to say it, again.
I am going to break from reading for a moment to let my voice and cheeks rest from this adventurous story. Its a story I couldn't help but read the characters "in character." Love the Great Beast, Dinesh in this book. Out of the three, its my favorite in the Talisman holders.
I will definitely list the other books in the series as "to-read." Recommend to all animal loving fantasy adventure readers.
This book started out calmly from book Two but as the story moves on, it got intense. Definitely emotional rides that can take you all sorts of places and really touch the sentimentalists. I want to cry, yell, laugh with joy, etc. Its intense to say it, again.
I am going to break from reading for a moment to let my voice and cheeks rest from this adventurous story. Its a story I couldn't help but read the characters "in character." Love the Great Beast, Dinesh in this book. Out of the three, its my favorite in the Talisman holders.
I will definitely list the other books in the series as "to-read." Recommend to all animal loving fantasy adventure readers.
December 3, 2018
OK, I'm def in love with Jhi, the panda, and want a panda that comforts me, helps me focus, and helps me make good decisions. Who couldn't use a panda like that?!? And I want Meilin and Rollan to ~feel~ and to see more Shane.
While the plot is formulaic as anything and there's more rampant culture lifting in the form of rhinos and elephants, the series is growing on me.
While the plot is formulaic as anything and there's more rampant culture lifting in the form of rhinos and elephants, the series is growing on me.
July 18, 2021
My least fave in this entire series for sure. Nothing particularly bad- except maybe that in the last 2 books each chapter had a single characters perspective, but this one kinda jumbled it up. But different author for the next one, so it’s all good!
Also, this series needs more credit for the fact that all the books have the same plot but done so differently that it is easy to forget. And the Great Beasts always have a different response to giving up their talisman which I appreciate.
I hope I’m never too old for this series, I love it waaaaay too much!
Also, this series needs more credit for the fact that all the books have the same plot but done so differently that it is easy to forget. And the Great Beasts always have a different response to giving up their talisman which I appreciate.
I hope I’m never too old for this series, I love it waaaaay too much!
July 11, 2022
Pierwsze 80 stron sprawiło, że książkę czytało się okropnie, ale jak już w akcję włączyły się nosorożce zaczęło robić się ciekawie - w końcu każdy ciekawy motyw nie był wyrzucany w kąt. Więc poza tymi (około) osiemdziesięcioma stronami było bardzo ciekawie, (że aż przeczytałem resztę w jeden dzień) zostałem pozytywnie zaskoczony, chociaż poprzednie tomy z serii też były niczego sobie.
September 27, 2018
Really nice and breathtaking book.
Read
April 30, 2020It was a little boring as you get into the book but it's a little funny because how Jhi and Melien how interact with each other.
May 27, 2020
I really enjoyed yet again the fantastic character development. It's hard to believe these books are supposed to be aimed at kids only. I think anyone who likes fantasy would love these books. Plus, easy reading is better on the brain especially during times like today. I'm waiting for Rollan to get his falcon to become a tattoo and I can't believe they're drawing it out this long!
March 8, 2022
Mon préféré jusqu'à présent ! On voit un changement chez les personnages, ils apprennent à se faire davantage confiance et à se pardonner. On voit une belle évolution dans leur équipe.
Read
April 12, 2022
Trigger & Content Warnings
Animal attack
Animal death
War themes & battle scenes
Animal attack
Animal death
War themes & battle scenes
September 10, 2022
4.65 ⭐
September 10, 2020
Apparently my kids kindle is connected to be Goodreads 😂 So I haven’t read this but by 9yo rates it 5/5
May 16, 2021
I loved it because I love adventure and I love the animals that were chosen to be the Great Beasts.
May 17, 2022
This is third in a series, and it mostly stands alone okay, but really loses a lot of context and character information if read apart. Blood Ties is by a different author than books 1 and 2, a pattern which continues in the series.
This is an adventure. Kids have animals bonded to them, who can guide, encourage, and work with them. The adults are largely side characters. As such, I think this adventure would appeal to a younger group of kids. As this is a book intended for younger audiences, I added a 'star' for that reason.
The topics include war, death of close family members, intense illness. Might be hard/intense for some younger kids.
The descriptions make the areas feel very present, but the story just bounces along at a fast clip, not worrying about things like character development or deeper explanations like what the elephant power does, or why anyone is collecting things, or how any of this will save the day in the end. It's a fine adventure.
If I read another in this series, I'll decide then whether to keep book 2 and 3.
This is an adventure. Kids have animals bonded to them, who can guide, encourage, and work with them. The adults are largely side characters. As such, I think this adventure would appeal to a younger group of kids. As this is a book intended for younger audiences, I added a 'star' for that reason.
The topics include war, death of close family members, intense illness. Might be hard/intense for some younger kids.
The descriptions make the areas feel very present, but the story just bounces along at a fast clip, not worrying about things like character development or deeper explanations like what the elephant power does, or why anyone is collecting things, or how any of this will save the day in the end. It's a fine adventure.
If I read another in this series, I'll decide then whether to keep book 2 and 3.
July 7, 2023
3.7 ⭐️ my mind is all over the place. but can we talk about that final battle. jesus. so sad 😞. but also like hella entertaining. i’m also starting to notice a theme of smashing people with big objects. first jhi and now an oversized elephant boulder💀LIKE WHY IS THERE SUCH AN OBSSESSION WITH THIS SMASHING TROPE. i’m down for some smashing (😏) but not this kind😔 cuz can you imagine like the human blood prints on the elephants butt. OK BUT ANYWAYS XUE. someone let her run for president (clearly we need someone better than what we have). i would literally eat her rat soup just cuz it’s hers. ok again tho JHI. such an icon. like literally saving everyone but can’t walk more than a few feet cuz she’s lazy. no choice but to stan. last thing cuz there’s so much more but i can’t really wrap my head around it enough to write it, WHY DIDNT I REALIZE TARIK HAD A BEARD TILL THE END OF THIS BOOK😦. i was imagining him like a bald tan potato looking head. but maybe his otter like nests in his beard OK ANYWAYS (why did i get so invested in the beard) speaking of tarik, him and lishay🤭👀. AND rollan and meilin. AND rollan and conor, glad they made up😌 so the ronor ship may continue and i can keep being delulu🕺. ok why do these reviews just keep getting longer lemme stop now
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2014
I enjoyed reading this. I gave it a three because it is not exactly my age. It was yet another quick read in the series as the Greencloaks set out on another dangerous adventure for their third talisman against the Conquerors. However, this one comes at a loss. Though, through these battles, they learn to stick together even when they are faced with tough choices. Meilin seems to be at a crossroads. What will she choose? Do the Greencloaks help Rollan in time before the poison kills him when they are in Tergesh territory? Why does Dinesh the elephant help them in battle before handing over the Slate Elephant? Who is Xue?
Read the book to find out the answers to these questions. If you like it, there's another book in the series- Fire and Ice. Furthermore, for the young at heart, there's a game you can play - www.scholastic.com/spiritanimals. Maybe you, too can help save Erdas from the Conquerors. This is just one of perhaps many battles they won against the Devourer- General Gar.
I know it is for America's youth, so I suggest maybe 3rd-5th grade. However, if you are young at heart and looking for an escape, why not read it?
Read the book to find out the answers to these questions. If you like it, there's another book in the series- Fire and Ice. Furthermore, for the young at heart, there's a game you can play - www.scholastic.com/spiritanimals. Maybe you, too can help save Erdas from the Conquerors. This is just one of perhaps many battles they won against the Devourer- General Gar.
I know it is for America's youth, so I suggest maybe 3rd-5th grade. However, if you are young at heart and looking for an escape, why not read it?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 434 reviews