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Heritage Trilogy #1
Bloodline
Two individuals from different countries but who share one ancestral bloodline race to thwart a terrorist plot in Jerusalem—the first heart-pounding book in a new epic trilogy that delves into the dark underbelly of the Holy City.
Bilal, a radicalized Palestinian youth, is promised paradise if he destroys the Western Wall. But his attempted terrorist attack fails and he finds himself in the hands of a young Jewish surgeon, Yael Cohen. After saving his life, Yael makes the startling discovery that her DNA and Bilal’s are nearly identical, sparking suspicion that their connection is greater than mere coincidence. Their search for answers soon puts them in the middle of a high-stakes international conspiracy—one that has its roots in the blood of thousands, and now threatens to spill the blood of thousands more.
Unknown to Bilal and Yael, theirs is the last chapter in a story that crosses millennia. Century after century, two ancient families—bloodline ancestors of Yael and Bilal—defied the power of corrupt kings and conquerors, fighting to forge an alliance and lasting peace. But through many years of secret dealings and war, kinships were shattered, dynasties fell apart, and evil gained a foothold. Now, in modern Israel, those same sinister forces are at work, stopping at nothing to take control of the Holy Land and silence anyone in their way. Through imprisonment, assassination attempts, and political machinations, Bilal and Yael must ultimately confront the truth of who they are. But is the common blood of two individuals enough to bring two enemy peoples together, and stave off the destruction that threatens them both?
Crossing borders, centuries, and battlegrounds, Bloodline is a thrilling, ultimately redemptive story taking place in the shadows of one of the oldest, most sacred cities in the world.
Bilal, a radicalized Palestinian youth, is promised paradise if he destroys the Western Wall. But his attempted terrorist attack fails and he finds himself in the hands of a young Jewish surgeon, Yael Cohen. After saving his life, Yael makes the startling discovery that her DNA and Bilal’s are nearly identical, sparking suspicion that their connection is greater than mere coincidence. Their search for answers soon puts them in the middle of a high-stakes international conspiracy—one that has its roots in the blood of thousands, and now threatens to spill the blood of thousands more.
Unknown to Bilal and Yael, theirs is the last chapter in a story that crosses millennia. Century after century, two ancient families—bloodline ancestors of Yael and Bilal—defied the power of corrupt kings and conquerors, fighting to forge an alliance and lasting peace. But through many years of secret dealings and war, kinships were shattered, dynasties fell apart, and evil gained a foothold. Now, in modern Israel, those same sinister forces are at work, stopping at nothing to take control of the Holy Land and silence anyone in their way. Through imprisonment, assassination attempts, and political machinations, Bilal and Yael must ultimately confront the truth of who they are. But is the common blood of two individuals enough to bring two enemy peoples together, and stave off the destruction that threatens them both?
Crossing borders, centuries, and battlegrounds, Bloodline is a thrilling, ultimately redemptive story taking place in the shadows of one of the oldest, most sacred cities in the world.
432 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
6 people are currently reading
488 people want to read
About the author
Alan Gold
53 books46 followersAlan Gold began his career as a journalist, working in the UK, Europe, and Israel. In 1970, he emigrated to Australia with his wife, Eva, and now lives in St. Ives, Sydney, where he divides his time between writing novels and running his award-winning marketing consultancy.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 23, 2014
‘History teaches us that men and nations behave wisely once they have exhausted all other alternatives.’
Israel, 2007. Bilal, a young Palestinian man attempts to destroy the Western Wall. His attempt fails, he is injured, and his life is saved by Yael Cohen, a Jewish surgeon. While treating Bilal, Dr Cohen makes two discoveries. First, she finds that Bilal is holding an ancient amulet that dates back to biblical Israel, and then she discovers that she and he share a genetic connection.
‘You and us, Palestinians and Jews, we have something in common, Bilal … Neither of us has anywhere else to go …’
Yael is keen to find out what the connection between her and Bilal is. At the same time those behind Bilal’s failed terrorist attempt are keen to prevent him from talking to anyone. There’s a high stakes conspiracy afoot, and both Yael and Bilal are in danger.
While the conspiracy and the bloodline connection are investigated in the present, the novel takes us to a series of vignettes, in different time periods ranging from the time of King Solomon. The novel therefore spans a period of one thousand years. It isn’t always clear how these vignettes are connected to the present, but the thought that they might be (or could be) adds a different dimension to the novel, complicating what might seem like clear-cut divisions between peoples. What is the connection between Yael and Bilal, and who is after Bilal and Yael, and why? Yaniv Grossman, an American journalist who is investigating the Orthodox Jewish right wing, may be able to help Yael and Bilal find some of the answers they are looking for.
‘In that moment the night before, the labels, the divisions, between Arab and Israeli, Muslim and Jew, seemed so utterly incomprehensible to her.’
This is the first novel in the Heritage Trilogy, I’ve already read the second and am keen to read the final instalment. While I’ve enjoyed the two books I’ve read, I feel like I’m not fully understanding the story. I hope that the various strands of the story will come together so that all is revealed in the third book.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Israel, 2007. Bilal, a young Palestinian man attempts to destroy the Western Wall. His attempt fails, he is injured, and his life is saved by Yael Cohen, a Jewish surgeon. While treating Bilal, Dr Cohen makes two discoveries. First, she finds that Bilal is holding an ancient amulet that dates back to biblical Israel, and then she discovers that she and he share a genetic connection.
‘You and us, Palestinians and Jews, we have something in common, Bilal … Neither of us has anywhere else to go …’
Yael is keen to find out what the connection between her and Bilal is. At the same time those behind Bilal’s failed terrorist attempt are keen to prevent him from talking to anyone. There’s a high stakes conspiracy afoot, and both Yael and Bilal are in danger.
While the conspiracy and the bloodline connection are investigated in the present, the novel takes us to a series of vignettes, in different time periods ranging from the time of King Solomon. The novel therefore spans a period of one thousand years. It isn’t always clear how these vignettes are connected to the present, but the thought that they might be (or could be) adds a different dimension to the novel, complicating what might seem like clear-cut divisions between peoples. What is the connection between Yael and Bilal, and who is after Bilal and Yael, and why? Yaniv Grossman, an American journalist who is investigating the Orthodox Jewish right wing, may be able to help Yael and Bilal find some of the answers they are looking for.
‘In that moment the night before, the labels, the divisions, between Arab and Israeli, Muslim and Jew, seemed so utterly incomprehensible to her.’
This is the first novel in the Heritage Trilogy, I’ve already read the second and am keen to read the final instalment. While I’ve enjoyed the two books I’ve read, I feel like I’m not fully understanding the story. I hope that the various strands of the story will come together so that all is revealed in the third book.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
September 16, 2014
What a thrilling read! With a nod to James Michener who authored many books based on the ascendants and descendants of characters, I thoroughly enjoyed Book I of The Heritage Trilogy.
History teaches us that men and nations behave wisely once they have exhausted all other alternatives.
"The history and complexity of Israel had been built on the bones of an ancient culture. with a narrative of determined survival in the unwelcoming places Jews had been forced to live. Nations were made and built and manufactured. The Jews had been exiled, and yet they had never truly left, with family lines remaining in villages, towns, and cities. Theirs was a narrative well-suited to a people who had nowhere to go."
"The Palestinians had an identity, and a narrative manufactured for them by external political forces. A nation dispossessed, and victim of colonization. Palestinians longed for a nation of their own, yet history had never known a people called Palestinians. Their narrative had been written for them, and they had become a people with nowhere else to go. "
In the earliest days of Jerusalem, almost 1,000 years BC, Soloman the Wise, King of a united Israel, is building a magnificent temple to honor his God, Adonai Elohim. Stones are quarried and brought to the building site, and a tunnel is built to facilitate bringing water to the temple. Hardships are endured by the Jews - high taxes, filthy and dangerous work - in the service of God and King.
In 2007, an artifact from the original tunnel is located under highly unusual circumstances: an Arab boy, intending to be the suicide bomber who destroys the tunnel, fails at this mission. He is injured, but not dead, and, in his hand, is the lovely stone.
Thus, the stories unfold. But, the span of 3,000 years has not removed the Arab/Israeli bitterness or the long-standing hatred of Muslim for Jew. And so, as each story unfolds, it seems that they are almost identical stories - only the characters have changed.
Bloodline is exceptionally well-written; plot, characters, setting. Alan Gold has the ability to put the reader in the story - we endure the heat, we feel the sand and dirt, we suffer the deceit and loss of trust, "Who is the enemy?" we ask ourselves, our hearts pound when a situation gets critical, we want to yell to the characters, "No. Don't go in there! You're in mortal danger!" We're right in there, whether 9th century BC or 21st century AD.
I anxiously await Book II.
I read this ARC courtesy of Simon & Schuster and Atria books.
History teaches us that men and nations behave wisely once they have exhausted all other alternatives.
"The history and complexity of Israel had been built on the bones of an ancient culture. with a narrative of determined survival in the unwelcoming places Jews had been forced to live. Nations were made and built and manufactured. The Jews had been exiled, and yet they had never truly left, with family lines remaining in villages, towns, and cities. Theirs was a narrative well-suited to a people who had nowhere to go."
"The Palestinians had an identity, and a narrative manufactured for them by external political forces. A nation dispossessed, and victim of colonization. Palestinians longed for a nation of their own, yet history had never known a people called Palestinians. Their narrative had been written for them, and they had become a people with nowhere else to go. "
In the earliest days of Jerusalem, almost 1,000 years BC, Soloman the Wise, King of a united Israel, is building a magnificent temple to honor his God, Adonai Elohim. Stones are quarried and brought to the building site, and a tunnel is built to facilitate bringing water to the temple. Hardships are endured by the Jews - high taxes, filthy and dangerous work - in the service of God and King.
In 2007, an artifact from the original tunnel is located under highly unusual circumstances: an Arab boy, intending to be the suicide bomber who destroys the tunnel, fails at this mission. He is injured, but not dead, and, in his hand, is the lovely stone.
Thus, the stories unfold. But, the span of 3,000 years has not removed the Arab/Israeli bitterness or the long-standing hatred of Muslim for Jew. And so, as each story unfolds, it seems that they are almost identical stories - only the characters have changed.
Bloodline is exceptionally well-written; plot, characters, setting. Alan Gold has the ability to put the reader in the story - we endure the heat, we feel the sand and dirt, we suffer the deceit and loss of trust, "Who is the enemy?" we ask ourselves, our hearts pound when a situation gets critical, we want to yell to the characters, "No. Don't go in there! You're in mortal danger!" We're right in there, whether 9th century BC or 21st century AD.
I anxiously await Book II.
I read this ARC courtesy of Simon & Schuster and Atria books.
September 27, 2014
This book is two stories, perhaps why there are two authors, one set in the present day and the other an abbreviated history of the Jews from the times of King Solomon. The reason for the two stories totally baffles me as there does not seem to be a clear connection between the separate time lines other than featuring Jews.
For this reason I didn't really enjoy this book at all. The history story was interesting and is a subject worth further reading, but as part of a fiction novel, it just didn't fit at all. The modern story was just rather dull and far fetched. It just didn't gel for me. The characters didn't feel real and therefore I didn't really care about them.
This is the first of a series and I think I shall pass on the rest.
For this reason I didn't really enjoy this book at all. The history story was interesting and is a subject worth further reading, but as part of a fiction novel, it just didn't fit at all. The modern story was just rather dull and far fetched. It just didn't gel for me. The characters didn't feel real and therefore I didn't really care about them.
This is the first of a series and I think I shall pass on the rest.
January 12, 2015
Huge let down, all this built up and page after page of dramatized history and the ending sucked
July 7, 2019
A real page turner. Though a bit confusing and structured (intentionally?) to not all fit tightly into a clean ending, the book is full of information and history.
December 31, 2019
did not enjoy this at all was not a book for me #dnf
April 2, 2015
A young Palestinian man tries to blow up the Wailing Wall, and discovers an artifact relating to the construction of Solomon's Temple, before being stopped by security forces. A hyper-competent Israeli doctor treats the terrorist for his injuries only to discover that the terrorist's DNA and her own are so close that they must be related. And with that bit of information we're off into the trope machine of the contemporary historical thriller.
Bloodline is not as erudite as an Umberto Eco novel, nor is it as tightly paced and suspenseful as an Arturo Perez-Reverte novel, but it is a great deal better written and researched than a Dan Brown work. The novel leaps back and forth between contemporary times and ancient history. The contemporary portion is a straightforward conspiracy thriller involving Islamic terrorists, hardliner Israeli security officers, the secretive religious sect Neturai Karta, and all the innocent people caught up in the skullduggery. The Ancient portion of the novel is episodic and includes scenes from the construction of Solomon's temple, the return from the Babylonian exile, and the Roman destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. There are strong thematic connections to the contemporary portions of the novel, but although a more direct connection is teased none is revealed. I found this puzzling, but expect more to be revealed in the latter two novels of this trilogy.
Gold and Jones give preference to plot over character as one would expect in a thriller, but at times the characters are so thin they become unbelievable. This is most easily seen in the character of Mahmoud, the Palestinian doctor. His role in the events of the story becomes pivotal, but the motivation for his actions is glossed over in a meager paragraph or two. With a couple of exceptions, the characters in the ancient part of the story are more in the realm of fable or archetype than fully realized human beings.
I remained interested throughout the novel, but the lack of concrete connection between the different time periods, and the lack of depth in the secondary characters are the reason for the low rating. The primary storyline is satisfying if a bit generic. I will check out the future entries in the trilogy if time and circumstance align, but I won't be going out of my way for them.
Bloodline is not as erudite as an Umberto Eco novel, nor is it as tightly paced and suspenseful as an Arturo Perez-Reverte novel, but it is a great deal better written and researched than a Dan Brown work. The novel leaps back and forth between contemporary times and ancient history. The contemporary portion is a straightforward conspiracy thriller involving Islamic terrorists, hardliner Israeli security officers, the secretive religious sect Neturai Karta, and all the innocent people caught up in the skullduggery. The Ancient portion of the novel is episodic and includes scenes from the construction of Solomon's temple, the return from the Babylonian exile, and the Roman destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. There are strong thematic connections to the contemporary portions of the novel, but although a more direct connection is teased none is revealed. I found this puzzling, but expect more to be revealed in the latter two novels of this trilogy.
Gold and Jones give preference to plot over character as one would expect in a thriller, but at times the characters are so thin they become unbelievable. This is most easily seen in the character of Mahmoud, the Palestinian doctor. His role in the events of the story becomes pivotal, but the motivation for his actions is glossed over in a meager paragraph or two. With a couple of exceptions, the characters in the ancient part of the story are more in the realm of fable or archetype than fully realized human beings.
I remained interested throughout the novel, but the lack of concrete connection between the different time periods, and the lack of depth in the secondary characters are the reason for the low rating. The primary storyline is satisfying if a bit generic. I will check out the future entries in the trilogy if time and circumstance align, but I won't be going out of my way for them.
November 13, 2015
I read this book because I was a Goodreads winner of the second book. Before I could read that one I thought I should read this one. As seems to be the case lately, I learned some things about the Israeli/Palestinian situation, although only a little bit. Since I like history, I was intrigued by this. I do think there was a leaning toward the Jewish side of the story, but not in a negative way and certainly there was no heavier, negative slant against the Arab/Muslim side of this story. Since this is a trilogy, I am hoping the question of the main story line is better connected in the second one.
This book is easy to read. It does go back and forth between present and past but it is clearly noted so you don't get confused by it. By the end it touched on the connection between present and past, but barely. I found some parts of the story line to be a bit loose. Without giving spoilers, the premise of the connection between two of the main characters seemed to come out of nowhere. There just didn't seem to be enough strength to support it. Some things just happened too easily. I think there was room for more character development and a stronger theme.
That said, it wasn't horrible and the idea is an interesting one, especially given today's climate in that part of the world. It raises some interesting thoughts about the heritage of the middle east, which will lead me to do some researching of the history. And I always like and appreciate that. I will be interested to see how the second book goes.
This book is easy to read. It does go back and forth between present and past but it is clearly noted so you don't get confused by it. By the end it touched on the connection between present and past, but barely. I found some parts of the story line to be a bit loose. Without giving spoilers, the premise of the connection between two of the main characters seemed to come out of nowhere. There just didn't seem to be enough strength to support it. Some things just happened too easily. I think there was room for more character development and a stronger theme.
That said, it wasn't horrible and the idea is an interesting one, especially given today's climate in that part of the world. It raises some interesting thoughts about the heritage of the middle east, which will lead me to do some researching of the history. And I always like and appreciate that. I will be interested to see how the second book goes.
May 18, 2014
I was fascinated by the potential that this storyline had - a Jew and a Palestinian linked by the same blood - and the mystery behind how this happened but in the end, the story didn't live up to my expectations. I understand that it's book one of a trilogy and am curious whether the next two books will solve some of the mysteries that were left hanging, but not curious enough to read on.
The only thing about this book that ensured I made it to the end was the facts on Israel and Palestine that fascinated me. It was great to read a book that displayed the information on this incredibly touchy issue with seeming impartiality; displaying the wrongs done to both sides by each other, by themselves and by the world.
The only thing about this book that ensured I made it to the end was the facts on Israel and Palestine that fascinated me. It was great to read a book that displayed the information on this incredibly touchy issue with seeming impartiality; displaying the wrongs done to both sides by each other, by themselves and by the world.
March 22, 2014
Book 1 of the Heritage Trilogy. An interesting read but very sparse on heritage - DNA analysis. Hope the other two books will include more details regarding heritage facts & blood group analysis.
As an amateur genealogist I was hoping for much deeper insight into what most genealogists &/or heritage followers have to go through to trace their ancestors.
For example few people realise that if their blood group is AB negative apart from it being very rare, at least one of their parents had to be AB & the other either A or B. But more striking is that in over 99% of cases both parents & their parents, parents had to have had a negative Reece factor.
To inspire me to read the next two - to be published books I look forward to the above authors to do more research in this very
As an amateur genealogist I was hoping for much deeper insight into what most genealogists &/or heritage followers have to go through to trace their ancestors.
For example few people realise that if their blood group is AB negative apart from it being very rare, at least one of their parents had to be AB & the other either A or B. But more striking is that in over 99% of cases both parents & their parents, parents had to have had a negative Reece factor.
To inspire me to read the next two - to be published books I look forward to the above authors to do more research in this very
December 30, 2014
I received this book from a goodreads giveaway.
This is the first book in a trilogy, but the story holds well on it's own. The story goes back and forth between present events and historic events that are loosely linked to the current ones. I enjoyed the story/plot line, but overall, it moved slower than I usually like so I did not read this book as quickly as I usually do with books in this genre. I liked the setting and the different characters and character groups. I would have liked a bit more character development since it was hard to develop a strong feeling of caring about the characters and what happened to them.
Overall, if you like historical fiction and adventure stories, you will probably like this book.
This is the first book in a trilogy, but the story holds well on it's own. The story goes back and forth between present events and historic events that are loosely linked to the current ones. I enjoyed the story/plot line, but overall, it moved slower than I usually like so I did not read this book as quickly as I usually do with books in this genre. I liked the setting and the different characters and character groups. I would have liked a bit more character development since it was hard to develop a strong feeling of caring about the characters and what happened to them.
Overall, if you like historical fiction and adventure stories, you will probably like this book.
December 5, 2014
This thriller takes place in the modern and ancient Middle East, with all its conflicts. There are good and evil characters on both sides. Two of the modern main characters are a female Jewish doctor and her patient, a failed male teenage bomber. It is fascinating and hard to put down. The modern era and its characters are better portrayed. My only problem with Bloodlines is that it is volume 1 of 3 and the 2nd is not being published until August of 2015. I do not want to wait to read more. Highly recommended.
February 14, 2016
The story itself was alright but nothing spectacular.
I've only read a bit so far but I have a beef: if you're going to write about medical things, make sure you do a decent amount of research. The authors confuse Thalassaemia with Iron Deficiency Anaemia. They are not the same. Also, a young doctor wouldn't think that sharing a same blood type like AB neg would be a sign of possibly being related. It would be a mere coincidence. Also, there is nothing wrong with giving someone with AB neg blood, O neg, A neg or B neg blood.
Call me a nerd, but I am a stickler for accurate detail.
I've only read a bit so far but I have a beef: if you're going to write about medical things, make sure you do a decent amount of research. The authors confuse Thalassaemia with Iron Deficiency Anaemia. They are not the same. Also, a young doctor wouldn't think that sharing a same blood type like AB neg would be a sign of possibly being related. It would be a mere coincidence. Also, there is nothing wrong with giving someone with AB neg blood, O neg, A neg or B neg blood.
Call me a nerd, but I am a stickler for accurate detail.
September 25, 2014
While I initially found this a bit hard to get into, it is an interesting read. For anyone attempting it, give it a go as it improves as you read. It took me starting it,then coming back to it a few times to get into. The flashbacks in history are very interesting, I think I learned more here than through any of my school religious study classes. The personal touch into how crossed the conflict in Israel/Palestine really is I found interesting and insightful.
November 30, 2014
REVIEW BLOODLINE by Alan Gold and Mike Jones
BLOODLINE is the first volume in the HERITAGE TRILOGY series, an action-packed thriller which is both contemporary and historical, comparing and contrasting, and shining a spotlight on the millennia-long conflicts throughout the Middle East. A. Palestinian Arab boy and a Jewish Israeli doctor discover by chance that they share DNA, and that this connection is no accident of nature, but impelled by conspiracy.
BLOODLINE is the first volume in the HERITAGE TRILOGY series, an action-packed thriller which is both contemporary and historical, comparing and contrasting, and shining a spotlight on the millennia-long conflicts throughout the Middle East. A. Palestinian Arab boy and a Jewish Israeli doctor discover by chance that they share DNA, and that this connection is no accident of nature, but impelled by conspiracy.
December 26, 2014
Bloodline by Alan Gold is an interesting read. With a dual storyline developing across two disparate timelines (the history of Jerusalem and a modern story of martyrdom), the book takes a fresh look at Middle Eastern politics and history by posing the question "who is the other, and who is us?" The first in a trilogy, there are several unresolved issues at the end of this novel. Here's hoping the next two stories will fill in the blanks.
December 17, 2014
Bloodline by Alan Gold is a mixture of Israeli / Jewish / Palestinian historical fiction, and a thriller that calls into question the fact there is both mixing of bloodlines, and political viewpoints. I found the historical aspect to be well presented, and interesting. What could have been a five-star novel involving corruption and intrigue, simply needed a bit more development in the present day story line. All in all though, a very enjoyable read.
October 30, 2014
Excellent book! You get history, the bible and a great story all wrapped into to one nice package. Bloodline falls right into the news of today, yesterday and the past centuries with the conflict between the Israel and the Arabs. The characters seem to come alive from todays headlines and makes the reader crave for more.
June 3, 2015
Read it for my book club. Always interested in historical fiction, but found this tedious and didn't finish it.
September 27, 2014
Great Thriller about a famous bloodline in the bible. Also a great thriller about Jerusalem!!!
Read
February 28, 2015Can't wait for the second part of the trilogy. Coming soon I hope.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews