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The Order of the Sanguines #1.5
Blood Brothers
From New York Times bestselling authors comes a dark story of murder, mystery, and a brotherhood steeped in a bloody past.
As a young reporter, Arthur Crane exposed the secrets behind the Orchid Killer, a cult murderer from the late ‘60s whose crimes blackened the end of the Summer of Love. Half a century later, Arthur wakes to find an orchid resting on his pillow, a symbol of death from a killer connected to his estranged younger brother, Christian. To discover the horrifying truth, Arthur will risk all—even his very soul—for Christian may not be the brother that Arthur remembers...
Included with this chilling story is a sneak peek at Innocent Blood, the second book in the Order of the Sanguines Series.
As a young reporter, Arthur Crane exposed the secrets behind the Orchid Killer, a cult murderer from the late ‘60s whose crimes blackened the end of the Summer of Love. Half a century later, Arthur wakes to find an orchid resting on his pillow, a symbol of death from a killer connected to his estranged younger brother, Christian. To discover the horrifying truth, Arthur will risk all—even his very soul—for Christian may not be the brother that Arthur remembers...
Included with this chilling story is a sneak peek at Innocent Blood, the second book in the Order of the Sanguines Series.
70 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 22, 2013
196 people are currently reading
2663 people want to read
About the author
James Rollins
124 books14.3k followersJames Rollins is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of international thrillers. His writing has been translated into more than forty languages and has sold more than 20 million books. The New York Times says, “Rollins is what you might wind up with if you tossed Michael Crichton and Dan Brown into a particle accelerator together.” NPR calls his work, “Adventurous and enormously engrossing.” Rollins unveils unseen worlds, scientific breakthroughs, and historical secrets matched with stunning suspense. As a veterinarian, he had a practice in Sacramento for over a decade and still volunteers at local shelters. Nowadays, Rollins shares his home up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains with two furry companions, Echo and Charlie. He also enjoys scuba diving, spelunking, kayaking, and hiking. Of course, he loves to travel and experience new places around the world, which often inspire his next globe-trotting adventure.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
December 30, 2020
A little between the numbers story from The Order of the Sanguines detailing how the vampire, Christian, joined the Order. It was a nifty little story of the bonds between brothers.
May 23, 2025
Blood Brothers was a fast, engaging listen, though it ended just when things were getting good. Can’t wait to see how it connects to Innocent Blood.
September 20, 2025
A short filler story set between the first and second books in The Order of the Sanguinists
September 25, 2021
eponymous sentence:
p13: "We're blood brothers, now and forever."
tech:
p4: Even now, he remembered the hard cement bench in a shaded corner, the ache in his lower back as he haunched over a novel by Dickens or Doyle.
Whets the appetite.
p13: "We're blood brothers, now and forever."
tech:
p4: Even now, he remembered the hard cement bench in a shaded corner, the ache in his lower back as he haunched over a novel by Dickens or Doyle.
Whets the appetite.
March 9, 2015
As I have stated before about this series, it has been a long time since a new author or series has seized me as much as these authors and this series. In a few days I read this short story, the first novel and the prequel short story. In fact The only reason I did not jump into book 2 was to take some time to write reviews of the first three I read.
The Order of Sanguines is a secret society within the Catholic church, they are sworn to fight the Strigoi, vampires, but they also have other secrets. And this story follows two brothers Christian and Arthur, it also follows a series of murders that took place in the 70's and the story is being recounted by Arthur. It provides some interesting backstory about the Order of the Sanguines. It really wets the appetite foe book 2 Innocent Blood.
I know it has become a trend for publishers to want short stories set in and around series. Either to draw attention or hype to new books, back fill stories, and keep readers interested. But sometimes these stories are just fodder to fill time, this is not one of those books. This was a great little read. The introduction to Christian and his story is excellent. In fact it left me desperate to read book 2. In fact this short story was so good it is a pity there was not one before book three came out.
A great short story well worth checking out.
Read the review on my blog and more reviews of books by the authors Book Reviews and More.
The Order of Sanguines is a secret society within the Catholic church, they are sworn to fight the Strigoi, vampires, but they also have other secrets. And this story follows two brothers Christian and Arthur, it also follows a series of murders that took place in the 70's and the story is being recounted by Arthur. It provides some interesting backstory about the Order of the Sanguines. It really wets the appetite foe book 2 Innocent Blood.
I know it has become a trend for publishers to want short stories set in and around series. Either to draw attention or hype to new books, back fill stories, and keep readers interested. But sometimes these stories are just fodder to fill time, this is not one of those books. This was a great little read. The introduction to Christian and his story is excellent. In fact it left me desperate to read book 2. In fact this short story was so good it is a pity there was not one before book three came out.
A great short story well worth checking out.
Read the review on my blog and more reviews of books by the authors Book Reviews and More.
October 25, 2013
I thought the short story beforeThe Blood Gospel was a little better. It had more action and a little more mystery (City of Screams). I also thought the previous one served a better jumping off point for the book.
As it is though, this is a short story that sets up a future character within the Sanguinist order told from the narrative, and mostly flashback narrative, of his brother. Taking place in San Francisco in the 70s, a few murders draw a journalist from London to investigate. A particular signature attracts his attention, that of an orchid left in the morning and at the death of the victim. In his attempt to figure things out he runs into his estranged brother and things get a little weird.
Still a Rollins story (with Cantrell as well) so the pace does move, but it did feel like it was slower than most.
As it is though, this is a short story that sets up a future character within the Sanguinist order told from the narrative, and mostly flashback narrative, of his brother. Taking place in San Francisco in the 70s, a few murders draw a journalist from London to investigate. A particular signature attracts his attention, that of an orchid left in the morning and at the death of the victim. In his attempt to figure things out he runs into his estranged brother and things get a little weird.
Still a Rollins story (with Cantrell as well) so the pace does move, but it did feel like it was slower than most.
September 10, 2018
This short story is numbered 2.5 in the Order of the Sanguines series. The story centers around Christian, a young Sanguinist we met in Innocent Blood. I understand why the authors decided to give Christian a more detailed backstory as he is a very interesting and charismatic character. Unlike the prequel short story, City of Screams, this additional story does seem to fit with the main story and provides more character depth. This story should be read as a supplement to the rest of the series as the reader would miss some of the nuances if it was read as a standalone. Rating 4
July 27, 2014
I liked this one a lot more than City of Screams. Might have something to do with finding the Sanguines more interesting as a whole than Jordan Stone. Either way I'm looking forward to finding out more about Christian.
January 5, 2018
VERY quick read, which turned out to be a nice filler between their full novels of the series. I think it took about 45 mins total...
February 24, 2015
Great little story setting up Christian. Too short but still well done
May 12, 2019
Two brothers
This is the tale of two men who were raised together in England until the mother committed suicide,. The two made a blood pact by mixing their blood from a slash on their wrists together. Their names are Arthur and Christian. Arthur the journalist who works for the London Times. Christian is a photographer who decided to live in California but hasn't spoken to his brother for a while. Arthur gets sent to cover a story on the death of a folk singer who was found dead with his throat torn open and an orchid besides him. Arthur is also looking for his brother Christian, whom he suspects has undergone a change and the orchid is his way to communicate to Arthur. After three other bodies, Christian comes to Arthur and almost kills him but throws him out the window instead. The blood connection saves Christian 's soul and he becomes a member of the Sanguinists, which is a group of men who were made vampires but ignore the blood lusts by only drinking consecrated wine which Christ's blood but retains all the other strengths of a vampire ( vision,hearing,movement,etc.). Arthur continues to research what happened to his brother over the years, since his dream of Christian 's redemption when they were connected by shared blood. Many years later, Arthur wakes to the sight of an orchid on his bed and assumes that he is scheduled to die, not realizing his brother Christian is again trying to warn him to stop looking for answers because he, Arthur, has become known to another group that will kill him. Christian rescues his brother in the nick of time.
This is the tale of two men who were raised together in England until the mother committed suicide,. The two made a blood pact by mixing their blood from a slash on their wrists together. Their names are Arthur and Christian. Arthur the journalist who works for the London Times. Christian is a photographer who decided to live in California but hasn't spoken to his brother for a while. Arthur gets sent to cover a story on the death of a folk singer who was found dead with his throat torn open and an orchid besides him. Arthur is also looking for his brother Christian, whom he suspects has undergone a change and the orchid is his way to communicate to Arthur. After three other bodies, Christian comes to Arthur and almost kills him but throws him out the window instead. The blood connection saves Christian 's soul and he becomes a member of the Sanguinists, which is a group of men who were made vampires but ignore the blood lusts by only drinking consecrated wine which Christ's blood but retains all the other strengths of a vampire ( vision,hearing,movement,etc.). Arthur continues to research what happened to his brother over the years, since his dream of Christian 's redemption when they were connected by shared blood. Many years later, Arthur wakes to the sight of an orchid on his bed and assumes that he is scheduled to die, not realizing his brother Christian is again trying to warn him to stop looking for answers because he, Arthur, has become known to another group that will kill him. Christian rescues his brother in the nick of time.
September 3, 2022
Blood Brothers is a short-story bridge between last year's blah The Blood Gospel and the forthcoming Innocent Blood, with James Rollins & Rebecca Cantrell providing some interesting back-story to The Order of the Sanguines.
As short stories go, this is definitely much more of a traditional horror/thriller than The Blood Gospel itself was. Here we have a damaged family, complete with a Gothic sort of suicide, and a murder mystery spanning decades. It's all tied together by a rare orchid that links both brothers and a series of brutal murders.
The story really serves two purposes. First, it humanizes Christian to a certain degree, giving the reader a glimpse into his mortal past. At the same time, however, it lends ever greater significance to the horror of his actions. Through the eyes of his brother we see Christian as a young man, as a monster on the cusp of damnation/salvation, as the creature is he today. It is where those lines cross, however, that the real story lies, reminding us that no matter what role he chooses to play in the holy order, a monster still lies within his heart.
While those who haven't read the first book in the series will certainly miss the significance of the decision that links the two timelines within the tale, the story does provide an interesting introduction to the series, and just may drive some new readers back to check out the entire series.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
As short stories go, this is definitely much more of a traditional horror/thriller than The Blood Gospel itself was. Here we have a damaged family, complete with a Gothic sort of suicide, and a murder mystery spanning decades. It's all tied together by a rare orchid that links both brothers and a series of brutal murders.
The story really serves two purposes. First, it humanizes Christian to a certain degree, giving the reader a glimpse into his mortal past. At the same time, however, it lends ever greater significance to the horror of his actions. Through the eyes of his brother we see Christian as a young man, as a monster on the cusp of damnation/salvation, as the creature is he today. It is where those lines cross, however, that the real story lies, reminding us that no matter what role he chooses to play in the holy order, a monster still lies within his heart.
While those who haven't read the first book in the series will certainly miss the significance of the decision that links the two timelines within the tale, the story does provide an interesting introduction to the series, and just may drive some new readers back to check out the entire series.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
October 20, 2022
Currently listening to Unrestricted Access: New and Classic Short Fiction by James Rollins, which has a bunch of short stories, some with tie-ins to the Sigma series.
A short story between books 1 and 2 of the Order of the Sanguines books.
Investigating murders where orchids are being left, Arthur wakes to find an orchid resting on his pillow. His estranged brother Christian may not be who he thought he was.
Not a vampire fan, so the book was just okay for me.
A short story between books 1 and 2 of the Order of the Sanguines books.
Investigating murders where orchids are being left, Arthur wakes to find an orchid resting on his pillow. His estranged brother Christian may not be who he thought he was.
Not a vampire fan, so the book was just okay for me.
August 28, 2017
Having read The Order of the Sanguines Series earlier, I had to read this too. The tragic story of two brothers torn apart is so well told that it could stand alone. However, this story provides the back story to the young Sanguinist: Christian from The Blood Gospel. So good it makes me want to read the whole series again!
February 6, 2018
This book was amazing although it was a short one; I think that everyone who reads this will have a greater understanding of what it means to be connected to your siblings. At one time or another, siblings have done "pinkie hug" or spit on each others hands so it shows that you are linked with each other...this book shows blood links between two brothers..well worth a read.
April 15, 2019
It's an OK short story that gives some insight into Christian, one of the supporting characters in the first book. Unlike the novel, it was quite obvious to the point of jarring, that two different authors were switching off. One voice is succinct while the other uses way too many insipid adjectives and hackneyed expressions.
July 23, 2021
finished this one a couple days ago and have since read another from rollins-cantrell good read four stars really liked it kindle library loaner and it has me curious enough to read more i think this is part of a series and it's off to the digital library i go after this, sniffing books in the digital aisle again, at least the a/c is on, humid, otherwise. onward and upward.
January 5, 2018
Another short tale but this one directly relating to the plot of the next book. Its a small but well written piece about a reporter who searches for his brother, the plot is good and it's nice to get a glimpse into the background of one of the future characters in the series.
November 28, 2018
Blood Brothers does exactly what it is supposed to do. Introduce you to a new character (or two) for the next installment in the series and somewhat reminds you of the 'rules' that are related to the Order in case you took a longer break between the first book and the second.
April 17, 2019
A good short read connecting the book1 and book2 of James Rollins' Sanguines trilogy.
After enjoying Book 1 in The Order Of The Sanguines Series, this was a fun quick prequel to Book 2.
Looking forward to reading the following books!
After enjoying Book 1 in The Order Of The Sanguines Series, this was a fun quick prequel to Book 2.
Looking forward to reading the following books!
January 5, 2021
This short story was written by James Rollins in conjunction with Rebecca Cantrell. It provides for the introduction of the Order of the Sanquines, a secret sect of the Roman Catholic Church. Pretty decent.
January 28, 2021
I listened to this short audiobook in the Order of the Sanguines series. It’s the back story of Christian and Arthur, childhood foster family brothers and “blood” brothers from a ceremony performed in their youth. Recommended.
June 16, 2021
Maybe this will be more relevant as I continue the series but this was such an odd little blimp to add in after the last story. No relevance to any characters or plot already known. Overall it was okay..?
November 5, 2017
Great intro novella into The Order of the Sanguines. Doesn't give too much away and still leaves you intrigued enough to want to read book 1.
September 27, 2018
Great short story to bridge book 1 and 2 of the series. Looking forward to seeing more of Christian.
May 10, 2019
My summary
These books are very n suspenseful ,they are a must read , I would recommend to my family members to read
These books are very n suspenseful ,they are a must read , I would recommend to my family members to read
September 17, 2019
Love the the backstory.
October 22, 2019
Pretty good little story in the saguine world
December 18, 2019
This was a quick and enjoyable read!
March 24, 2020
Great start to what became some great books
Read them all and need them immensely. Great read as usual!
Now on to the new stuff...perhaps Tracker and Kane...
Read them all and need them immensely. Great read as usual!
Now on to the new stuff...perhaps Tracker and Kane...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews