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The Cull #2
Bloodstone
Two new enemies emerge as the relationship between Amy and the ‘new’ Katie evolves in unexpected ways.
Katie is searching for answers; a new ally may help in her quest.
Amy finds herself taking on a powerful adversary without the help of her partner.
An old nemesis reappears in an unforeseen twist in this thrilling continuation of ‘the CULL - Bloodline’.
Katie is searching for answers; a new ally may help in her quest.
Amy finds herself taking on a powerful adversary without the help of her partner.
An old nemesis reappears in an unforeseen twist in this thrilling continuation of ‘the CULL - Bloodline’.
367 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 18, 2013
35 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Eric J. Gates
28 books153 followersAward-winning author Eric J. Gates has had a curious life filled with the stuff of thriller novels. Writing Operating Systems for Supercomputers, cracking cryptographic codes under extreme pressure using only paper and pen and teaching cyberwarfare to spies are just a few of the moments he’s willing to recall. He is an ex-International Consultant who has travelled extensively worldwide, speaks several languages, and has had articles and papers published in six different countries, as well as radio and TV spots. His specialty, Information Technology Security, has brought him into contact with the Military and Intelligence communities on numerous occasions. He is also an expert martial artist, holding 14 black belt degrees in distinct disciplines. He has taught his skills to Police and Military personnel, as well as to the public.
He now writes thriller novels, drawing on his experiences with the confidential and secret worlds that surround us.
He now writes thriller novels, drawing on his experiences with the confidential and secret worlds that surround us.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 9, 2014
Amy and Katie are back! Gates second installment of the Cull starts off with the "new" Katie and the mild mannered, geeky Amy. While Katie was awesome before, she's a badass now. While Amy was a newbie, geeky intelligence officer, she can take torture like no one's business.
So many twists and turns, and the array of characters, some old some new. The two agents are in pursuit of the Bloodstone (you will have to read the book to find out what that is)
Again, high praise to the author for his spot on dialogue, action scenes, tech terms and the pace of the novel. Though I had to put it down to do other things in my life, I was very eager to get back and finish.
And hoo boy, what a finish! Book 3 is next on my radar, because I'm dying to know what happens.
I will say and I hope the author meant this, but Dr. Craven is annoying lol, I loved her character but Katie had the patience of a saint to put up with her.
So many twists and turns, and the array of characters, some old some new. The two agents are in pursuit of the Bloodstone (you will have to read the book to find out what that is)
Again, high praise to the author for his spot on dialogue, action scenes, tech terms and the pace of the novel. Though I had to put it down to do other things in my life, I was very eager to get back and finish.
And hoo boy, what a finish! Book 3 is next on my radar, because I'm dying to know what happens.
I will say and I hope the author meant this, but Dr. Craven is annoying lol, I loved her character but Katie had the patience of a saint to put up with her.
September 12, 2022
Action Packed
There’s a lot of action in this second book in the series! Katie and Amy are back, now with an anthropologist named Craven. Katie is different… (no spoilers). More is unveiled about SANTA and the characters (and me as the reader) aren’t sure who to trust. It was a read with good pace for the action. I do wish there was a bit more about the supernatural and less about FBI so that’s why it’s 4 not 5 stars. Lots to like about it though!
There’s a lot of action in this second book in the series! Katie and Amy are back, now with an anthropologist named Craven. Katie is different… (no spoilers). More is unveiled about SANTA and the characters (and me as the reader) aren’t sure who to trust. It was a read with good pace for the action. I do wish there was a bit more about the supernatural and less about FBI so that’s why it’s 4 not 5 stars. Lots to like about it though!
June 15, 2014
One of the things I enjoy about Gates' writing is that it is difficult to pigeonhole into any single genre. Like its predecessor, 'Bloodstone' is a page-turner, and contains obvious thriller elements, but it also takes in components of vampirism (in its broadest sense - none of your sparkly 'Twilight' vampires here), technological geekery and an unusually deep psychological profiling of the main characters. It also oozes with a delicious moral ambiguity as unlikely alliances form and dissolve.
It is also good to see the key players are strong females, fighting their way through a man's world of prejudice and violence - and remaining firmly female while not straying into patronising areas of 'girliness'. No cop-out love stories or romance interest here, just excitement from page one.
'Bloodstone' ends with a cliff-hanger - not something I usually like, but here it seems entirely appropriate. Can't wait to get into the next one in the series...
It is also good to see the key players are strong females, fighting their way through a man's world of prejudice and violence - and remaining firmly female while not straying into patronising areas of 'girliness'. No cop-out love stories or romance interest here, just excitement from page one.
'Bloodstone' ends with a cliff-hanger - not something I usually like, but here it seems entirely appropriate. Can't wait to get into the next one in the series...
April 28, 2014
It’s a rule somewhere, and if it isn’t, it should be. Don’t write anything in book one that you can’t top in book two. For the CULL – Bloodstone, this is achieved through absolute genius plotting. Another rule should be that every series is required to remove its characters from their comfort zones. Rip them away from home, away from their safety nets. See how they react. The results are usually unpredictable and hopefully completely awesome.
The old Katie left her mark by her attention to detail and extremely keen ability to plan defensive maneuvers. The new Katie will straight up kick your ah… you know where this is going. Meanwhile Amy is still getting her bearings without Katie there to show her the ropes. While she’s chasing down leads, enemies are chasing her. It’s going to be a global race. Suspicions are mounting. Who can she trust?
Book 1 the CULL – Bloodline was amazing. Remember that, because the CULL – Bloodstone is going to blow it away. So strap yourself in, it’s going to be one heck of a ride. Gates has re-invented the vampire genre and taken it places no author has dared to go before.
If you haven’t read the CULL – Bloodline, start there. Then snag a copy of the CULL – Bloodstone and prepare to be up all night with a death grip on your e-reader.
The old Katie left her mark by her attention to detail and extremely keen ability to plan defensive maneuvers. The new Katie will straight up kick your ah… you know where this is going. Meanwhile Amy is still getting her bearings without Katie there to show her the ropes. While she’s chasing down leads, enemies are chasing her. It’s going to be a global race. Suspicions are mounting. Who can she trust?
Book 1 the CULL – Bloodline was amazing. Remember that, because the CULL – Bloodstone is going to blow it away. So strap yourself in, it’s going to be one heck of a ride. Gates has re-invented the vampire genre and taken it places no author has dared to go before.
If you haven’t read the CULL – Bloodline, start there. Then snag a copy of the CULL – Bloodstone and prepare to be up all night with a death grip on your e-reader.
August 12, 2016
“The Cull – Bloodstone” by Eric J. Gates was recommended to me by friends and it did not disappoint me. It begins with a very claustrophobic dream and so drops the reader into the deep end of an adrenaline filled and twisted vampire and spy thriller.
Although this is the second part in a series the author brings us quickly up to scratch and takes us on a fast paced action ride with this well written novel.
It is definitely a great take on the otherwise worn out vampire genre and offers a lot of action and plenty of diverse plot that it clearly stands out from other books in the genre.
One of the heroines from the first book has become a vampire herself and adjusts to her new ‘life’, with less support than she would like. Homeland security agents, some entertaining characters, the hunt for a Bloodstone and plenty of twists, locations and fascinating protagonists drive the story on towards its climatic ending, which leaves us craving for the next book in the series.
Well written and hugely enjoyable.
Although this is the second part in a series the author brings us quickly up to scratch and takes us on a fast paced action ride with this well written novel.
It is definitely a great take on the otherwise worn out vampire genre and offers a lot of action and plenty of diverse plot that it clearly stands out from other books in the genre.
One of the heroines from the first book has become a vampire herself and adjusts to her new ‘life’, with less support than she would like. Homeland security agents, some entertaining characters, the hunt for a Bloodstone and plenty of twists, locations and fascinating protagonists drive the story on towards its climatic ending, which leaves us craving for the next book in the series.
Well written and hugely enjoyable.
January 5, 2015
the CULL - Bloodstone
by Eric J. Gates
Violent, action-packed and striking
Another great book from this author and very quickly becoming one of my favourites.
Violent, action-packed and intricate striking fighting scenes in this creative paranormal thriller,
A vampire heroine cracks skulls and I can't wait to get hold of the next book in this series.
5*****
by Eric J. Gates
Violent, action-packed and striking
Another great book from this author and very quickly becoming one of my favourites.
Violent, action-packed and intricate striking fighting scenes in this creative paranormal thriller,
A vampire heroine cracks skulls and I can't wait to get hold of the next book in this series.
5*****
April 25, 2018
Amy And Katie on The Case
I have really enjoyed this series, it just keep getting better. Great vocabulary, not really if it's that or the storyline that held me captive. The theme is great even for those like me who are not really into vampire stories. The storyline flows evenly and at a great pace. The characters are great. Great Read...
I have really enjoyed this series, it just keep getting better. Great vocabulary, not really if it's that or the storyline that held me captive. The theme is great even for those like me who are not really into vampire stories. The storyline flows evenly and at a great pace. The characters are great. Great Read...
May 18, 2015
Bloodstone is the second of The Cull series. Not as edge-of-your-seat-I'm-never-going-to-sleep-again suspenseful as the first but still plenty of drama and lots of plot thickeners. Good suspense, in a way that had me avoiding responsibilities to keep reading and yet still let me sleep at night.
And as for The Cull series in general well...
I like thrillers. A good dose of running-in, guns blazing while the world blows up, just as the good guy outsmarts the bad is good for the soul... Ok maybe not good for the soul, but certainly good fun.
But in your typical thriller those good guys, can be a little, well, male. They seem to like to swear a lot and there's a lot of talk of, to put it not near as bluntly as they seem to, boobs. Throw in the manly stuff that men do and women roll their eyes at and I'm sure it's all quite realistic when you are down in the trenches with the fellows. But that eye rolling us women do? That's realistic too.
In The Cull, a series that's as suspensefully gun blazing as one could wish for, the two main characters are ladies. Ladies, I might add, that can get by on a reasonable amount of swearing. And between their super brains and super computers, general kickassedness and sass, those typical male protagonists hardly stand a chance in a contest of pure awesomeness.
But that's not the point.
The point is that unlike many women featured in thrillers, these girls have two things going for them. First off they have, so far, not fallen head over-heels for some hunk they are partnered with. Because once someone starts doing that, then they require rescuing and before you know it the whole world is going to shit they are stuck on a ledge over a giant void and they choose that moment to start kissing.
Seriously...
And these ladies from The Cull actually excel at what they do because of their skills instead of getting by on dumb luck and hunky male backup. Two women, getting the job done with a bit of giggling that the men don't understand.
Perfect.
Despite the look of their covers... I'd call them thrillers for women.
(Also, if you are going to have a psychopathic vampire in your book, I appreciate that they are given a sense of humor and a good Irish Brogue so they can use the phrase "me darlin" often.)
Would I recommend them? Yes!
And as for The Cull series in general well...
I like thrillers. A good dose of running-in, guns blazing while the world blows up, just as the good guy outsmarts the bad is good for the soul... Ok maybe not good for the soul, but certainly good fun.
But in your typical thriller those good guys, can be a little, well, male. They seem to like to swear a lot and there's a lot of talk of, to put it not near as bluntly as they seem to, boobs. Throw in the manly stuff that men do and women roll their eyes at and I'm sure it's all quite realistic when you are down in the trenches with the fellows. But that eye rolling us women do? That's realistic too.
In The Cull, a series that's as suspensefully gun blazing as one could wish for, the two main characters are ladies. Ladies, I might add, that can get by on a reasonable amount of swearing. And between their super brains and super computers, general kickassedness and sass, those typical male protagonists hardly stand a chance in a contest of pure awesomeness.
But that's not the point.
The point is that unlike many women featured in thrillers, these girls have two things going for them. First off they have, so far, not fallen head over-heels for some hunk they are partnered with. Because once someone starts doing that, then they require rescuing and before you know it the whole world is going to shit they are stuck on a ledge over a giant void and they choose that moment to start kissing.
Seriously...
And these ladies from The Cull actually excel at what they do because of their skills instead of getting by on dumb luck and hunky male backup. Two women, getting the job done with a bit of giggling that the men don't understand.
Perfect.
Despite the look of their covers... I'd call them thrillers for women.
(Also, if you are going to have a psychopathic vampire in your book, I appreciate that they are given a sense of humor and a good Irish Brogue so they can use the phrase "me darlin" often.)
Would I recommend them? Yes!
May 27, 2022
Loving this series! Things continue to escalate, new players are added, and the twists just keep coming!
What is refreshing about this series (at least so far and hope it continues) is that the two main characters - Amy and Katie - are strong resourceful female characters capable of handling themselves in tough situations without having to have a love interest to "save the day". I'm not saying they don't get help from men, just that a romance angle would muddy the true nature of the storyline and glad it is not a factor.
Once again, the intrigue and chaos lead us to another cliffhanging dilemma. Thank goodness the next book is already available and I can continue reading through the night!
Way to keep me wanting more! Great job!
What is refreshing about this series (at least so far and hope it continues) is that the two main characters - Amy and Katie - are strong resourceful female characters capable of handling themselves in tough situations without having to have a love interest to "save the day". I'm not saying they don't get help from men, just that a romance angle would muddy the true nature of the storyline and glad it is not a factor.
Once again, the intrigue and chaos lead us to another cliffhanging dilemma. Thank goodness the next book is already available and I can continue reading through the night!
Way to keep me wanting more! Great job!
September 19, 2016
2 down and 2 to go what a top 4 part series The Cull this is top stuff hats off to our Author for this terrific high fever pitched thriller series
March 26, 2018
Awesome follow up to the first book! Even better! Great action, trouble putting the book down. Twists and turns everywhere!
Waiting to read the 3rd installment!!
Waiting to read the 3rd installment!!
April 24, 2025
I so thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Gates’ “The Cull: Bloodline”, What a terrific ride it was. And in this novel, “The Cull: Bloodstone”, #2 in the series, Mr. Gates continues to thrill his readers and even steps on the gas, giving us even more action to take on board. No spoilers from me, except to say the plot is as unique as can be, and bears witness to Mr. Gates vivid imagination. As a fellow writer and long-time fan of Mr. Gates I’m so impressed by the depth of his creative ability. "Bloodstone" is an absorbing tale, packed with narrative energy and drive. And, as aways with Mr. Gates, the pace is fast from the onset.
And I find it’s so good to get away from the ubiquitous and perennial macho stuff from male protagonists, and for a change, have female leads like Amy and Katie, women who are not marginal, but who sit at the very center of events, setting the pace. We need more of that in thrillers I feel.
I now look forward to reading, “The Cull: Blood Feud”, Book #3 in this exciting series.
And I find it’s so good to get away from the ubiquitous and perennial macho stuff from male protagonists, and for a change, have female leads like Amy and Katie, women who are not marginal, but who sit at the very center of events, setting the pace. We need more of that in thrillers I feel.
I now look forward to reading, “The Cull: Blood Feud”, Book #3 in this exciting series.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews