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Red Eye
Flesh and Blood
I must record the facts that have led me to where I am now. So that, when someone reads this, they understand. Sam Hunter's neighbours are pillars of the community, the most influential people in town. But they're liars too. The Greenhills are hiding something and Sam's determined to find out what it is. As his investigation unfolds, he realizes the lies reach further than he ever imagined - is there anyone he can trust? Uncovering the horror is one thing ...escaping is another. A chilling new story in the Red Eye series.
336 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
March 19, 2015
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to Little Tiger Group and NetGalley.)
“I crouched down to see into the jars.
There were eight or nine of them, all filled with a thin yellowy liquid. Floating inside the first was a human hand, with pale empty blood vessels protruding from its stump.”
Out of the three ‘red eye’ books that I’ve read, this one was my least favourite.
Sam was an alright character, but he did come across as a little immature, and like main characters in so many horror stories, he made dumb decisions like going out in the middle of the night because he heard a scream and saw a menacing shadow. How dumb are you?
“I thought, at first, that I’d dreamed the bloodchilling scream that came from outside.”
The storyline in this wasn’t bad, but I didn’t feel really gripped by the story either. I got a bit annoyed by the way Sam turned into a stalker, and I just didn’t enjoy the story that much. The romance was also a totally non-starter.
“Her blood-red lips parted slowly. I felt an unbidden urge to kiss her. Even then, when I already had suspicions, her pull was almost irresistible.”
The ending to this wasn’t all that great either. In fact it was a pretty poor ending in my opinion.
6 out of 10
“I crouched down to see into the jars.
There were eight or nine of them, all filled with a thin yellowy liquid. Floating inside the first was a human hand, with pale empty blood vessels protruding from its stump.”
Out of the three ‘red eye’ books that I’ve read, this one was my least favourite.
Sam was an alright character, but he did come across as a little immature, and like main characters in so many horror stories, he made dumb decisions like going out in the middle of the night because he heard a scream and saw a menacing shadow. How dumb are you?
“I thought, at first, that I’d dreamed the bloodchilling scream that came from outside.”
The storyline in this wasn’t bad, but I didn’t feel really gripped by the story either. I got a bit annoyed by the way Sam turned into a stalker, and I just didn’t enjoy the story that much. The romance was also a totally non-starter.
“Her blood-red lips parted slowly. I felt an unbidden urge to kiss her. Even then, when I already had suspicions, her pull was almost irresistible.”
The ending to this wasn’t all that great either. In fact it was a pretty poor ending in my opinion.
6 out of 10
October 26, 2015
5 Words: Murder, thriller, mystery, power, madness.
When I started reading this, I thought I was getting into a horror. But it's not really a horror. More of a thriller. Kind of. With mind-altering drugs and a multi-generation house of horrors.
I'm not so much a fan of gore, and that what Flesh and Blood seemed to rely on for its "horror" element. I find it lazy, and actually quite boring. I prefer my horror slow building and subtle, something that plays with you, not body-parts-and-blood.
I liked how the pace was suddenly super-fast near the end, but that last chapter felt pretty anti-climatic. I think I would have preferred a clean ending, rather than what we got. It just didn't seem to fit so well, although I guess it makes sense given the narrative.
I received a copy of this for free via NetGalley for review purposes.
When I started reading this, I thought I was getting into a horror. But it's not really a horror. More of a thriller. Kind of. With mind-altering drugs and a multi-generation house of horrors.
I'm not so much a fan of gore, and that what Flesh and Blood seemed to rely on for its "horror" element. I find it lazy, and actually quite boring. I prefer my horror slow building and subtle, something that plays with you, not body-parts-and-blood.
I liked how the pace was suddenly super-fast near the end, but that last chapter felt pretty anti-climatic. I think I would have preferred a clean ending, rather than what we got. It just didn't seem to fit so well, although I guess it makes sense given the narrative.
I received a copy of this for free via NetGalley for review purposes.
December 5, 2020
Summary
When Sam's dad finally strikes it big in the music industry they decide to move to Hadlington. The neighborhood of big houses and rich families.
As he attempts to settle in he can't help but notice there is something strange going on in his new neighborhood. Something that one family in particular would do whatever was necessary to keep hidden.
Personal Opinion
I didn't find this one as binge worthy as some others in the series. It got off to a slower start with a good twist ending I didn't see coming.
I would consider this more of a mad scientist typed thriller than a horror read. It wasn't really scary, there was some gory parts but not really enough considering the title. I was thinking more along the lines of a slasher read based on the cover and title.
This one seemed a bit more juvenile than the others and fell a bit flat for me.
When Sam's dad finally strikes it big in the music industry they decide to move to Hadlington. The neighborhood of big houses and rich families.
As he attempts to settle in he can't help but notice there is something strange going on in his new neighborhood. Something that one family in particular would do whatever was necessary to keep hidden.
Personal Opinion
I didn't find this one as binge worthy as some others in the series. It got off to a slower start with a good twist ending I didn't see coming.
I would consider this more of a mad scientist typed thriller than a horror read. It wasn't really scary, there was some gory parts but not really enough considering the title. I was thinking more along the lines of a slasher read based on the cover and title.
This one seemed a bit more juvenile than the others and fell a bit flat for me.
March 20, 2015
(I received a copy from Netgalley, In exchange for an honest review.)
I can't say I liked the main character in this, he could be quite stupid at times, an he annoyed me often.
This wasn't an awful read, but it's been my least favorite out of the Red Eye series.
There was a few creepy/disgusting parts but other than that it was a fairly boring read, and I was glad when it was over.
The ending wasn't very good, but again, I was just glad it was over.
I can't say I liked the main character in this, he could be quite stupid at times, an he annoyed me often.
This wasn't an awful read, but it's been my least favorite out of the Red Eye series.
There was a few creepy/disgusting parts but other than that it was a fairly boring read, and I was glad when it was over.
The ending wasn't very good, but again, I was just glad it was over.
April 9, 2015
I don't read horror books. At least, I never used to read horror books. I'm what you'd call a class A wimp, so imagine my constant battle over the urge to read the creepy and the weird, mind games and freaky cultures, murders and gruesome, plain vile stories, the ones I love most, the ones with characters you just don't understand, or the ones with morals you just can't comprehend, or the ones were somewhere, somehow, you find yourself weirdly interested and, almost understanding these so so wrong characters, they're my favourite books, and Flesh and Blood felt no different. In fact, this book put Anna Dressed in Blood to shame.
High praise indeed, considering just how much I enjoyed Anna Dressed in Blood, but Flesh and Blood, without a doubt, stands on it's own two feet when it comes to creepy and freaky and fantastically nightmarish. Nothing could have prepared me for what Flesh and Blood would be, not even it's title. Imagine every nightmare you've ever had about doctors and surgeries, every terrifying dream you've ever had about being tortured, about being experimented on, every fear you've ever had about creepy houses, about dark, twisted, gruesome deaths, every single petrifying thought you've had that involved losing yourself, losing your humanity, losing your mind, imagine it at an unbearable level, and then imagine it ten times over, and you will never reach the level of horror that Flesh and Blood has. Cheshire's talent at writing the terrifying and the gruesome, but also making it so addictive that it's impossible to stop reading is extremely impressive. I haven't seen very may authors who can frighten me and amaze me, enthral and intrigue me, horrify and distress and yet have me do nothing more than think about the book in question, and to have that book be a horror book, a children's book - well, that makes this read all the more amazing. It was so impossibly good, so, mesmerisingly horrifying and disgusting vile, I have no idea how I managed to sleep, but it definitely wasn't made easy.
However, it wasn't just Flesh and Blood's creepy and horrifying plot and features that made it so brilliant, it was it's characters too. Character's that are so, utterly insane and completely amazing, characters that make me wonder who I can really trust, and if I can trust anyone at all, characters that remind me that everyone has a little bit of madness in them, but projects in different ways, some that, sometimes, might even make a little sense. The star of the show though is obviously Sam. Sam's dedication to his research, to his answers, his passion for results and his eager eye, it all went towards creating such a powerful character I could so easily root for, a character who's emotions drove his actions, who's instinct's drove his mind, who's intelligence, knowledge, bravery and courage was so strong it leapt off the page, it there is a single character that pushed this novel from really great to utterly captivating and enthralling, it was Sam. Even Sam's relationships with his fellow friendships, with Jo and Liam, and they're relationships with one another, they're group, they felt so realistic and so tangible, it made this story all the more horrifying to read. Not only that, having the book written in the past tense only made this book even more distressing and heart-breaking, knowing that everything your reading has already happened, that there's absolutely nothing these character's can do to stop what's happening, seeing their actions come to nothing, that's both a horrible and utterly fantastic feature to use, and it only made me root for the characters more.
Yes, Flesh and Blood's ending let this book down just a small amount; it felt incomplete, unfinished, a little sloppy and open ended, but I can also see how Cheshire wanted to end it and the type of ending he was looking for, the type that related to the story, and quite possibly, the type that gave the audience hope that maybe Sam didn't meet such a terrible demise after all. It was a good ending, just, not the ending I really wanted, and the ending that came for some of the other characters too felt a little.. unfinished and unclear, but I may have been expecting just a little too much. Never the less, Flesh and Blood was an addictive and thrilling, creepy and terrifying, everything that you'd want from a great horror read, and I can say for certain that, no matter how creepy it may have been, no matter how sickening and disturbing, I'm still very much in love with books like Flesh and Blood, all the more so now.
4.5 stars.
High praise indeed, considering just how much I enjoyed Anna Dressed in Blood, but Flesh and Blood, without a doubt, stands on it's own two feet when it comes to creepy and freaky and fantastically nightmarish. Nothing could have prepared me for what Flesh and Blood would be, not even it's title. Imagine every nightmare you've ever had about doctors and surgeries, every terrifying dream you've ever had about being tortured, about being experimented on, every fear you've ever had about creepy houses, about dark, twisted, gruesome deaths, every single petrifying thought you've had that involved losing yourself, losing your humanity, losing your mind, imagine it at an unbearable level, and then imagine it ten times over, and you will never reach the level of horror that Flesh and Blood has. Cheshire's talent at writing the terrifying and the gruesome, but also making it so addictive that it's impossible to stop reading is extremely impressive. I haven't seen very may authors who can frighten me and amaze me, enthral and intrigue me, horrify and distress and yet have me do nothing more than think about the book in question, and to have that book be a horror book, a children's book - well, that makes this read all the more amazing. It was so impossibly good, so, mesmerisingly horrifying and disgusting vile, I have no idea how I managed to sleep, but it definitely wasn't made easy.
However, it wasn't just Flesh and Blood's creepy and horrifying plot and features that made it so brilliant, it was it's characters too. Character's that are so, utterly insane and completely amazing, characters that make me wonder who I can really trust, and if I can trust anyone at all, characters that remind me that everyone has a little bit of madness in them, but projects in different ways, some that, sometimes, might even make a little sense. The star of the show though is obviously Sam. Sam's dedication to his research, to his answers, his passion for results and his eager eye, it all went towards creating such a powerful character I could so easily root for, a character who's emotions drove his actions, who's instinct's drove his mind, who's intelligence, knowledge, bravery and courage was so strong it leapt off the page, it there is a single character that pushed this novel from really great to utterly captivating and enthralling, it was Sam. Even Sam's relationships with his fellow friendships, with Jo and Liam, and they're relationships with one another, they're group, they felt so realistic and so tangible, it made this story all the more horrifying to read. Not only that, having the book written in the past tense only made this book even more distressing and heart-breaking, knowing that everything your reading has already happened, that there's absolutely nothing these character's can do to stop what's happening, seeing their actions come to nothing, that's both a horrible and utterly fantastic feature to use, and it only made me root for the characters more.
Yes, Flesh and Blood's ending let this book down just a small amount; it felt incomplete, unfinished, a little sloppy and open ended, but I can also see how Cheshire wanted to end it and the type of ending he was looking for, the type that related to the story, and quite possibly, the type that gave the audience hope that maybe Sam didn't meet such a terrible demise after all. It was a good ending, just, not the ending I really wanted, and the ending that came for some of the other characters too felt a little.. unfinished and unclear, but I may have been expecting just a little too much. Never the less, Flesh and Blood was an addictive and thrilling, creepy and terrifying, everything that you'd want from a great horror read, and I can say for certain that, no matter how creepy it may have been, no matter how sickening and disturbing, I'm still very much in love with books like Flesh and Blood, all the more so now.
4.5 stars.
September 25, 2015
My review can also be found on our blog Paein and Ms4Tune
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
‘”There’s lots to learn. I mistimed the man in the park. I had to leave the body or I’d have been seen by the dog walker. The training period is a thrilling time for the family. You know, a tradition, one generation handing over to the next.”‘ Loc. 1715
This is the third book from the Little Tiger Groups Red Eye collection that I’ve read. I wanted to love this one as much as I loved Frozen Charlotte or at least as much and I enjoyed Sleepless but Flesh and Blood and I started out on the wrong foot. I picked it up thinking it was going to be a pre-zombie apocalypse story, and for the most part it came across as perhaps it would go in that general direction but then it u-turned! This is not a pre-zombie apocalypse story.
I feel a little mean with my rating because I think, if I’d had a better idea about what the story was actually about then, I would probably have enjoyed it more. It had a slow but steady build up of suspense and suspicion, which any other time I would have really enjoyed, but unfortunately, in this case, it only irritated me because I couldn’t figure out what was actually happening.
It was written in an interesting post-event’s way. It never gave away the ending but it gave you an eerie foreboding feeling which was intriguing. I wish I had felt more of a connection to the main character, Sam Hunter but I just couldn’t connect to him, and when it all started to kick off I just couldn’t care enough to feel anxious or worried. I did however feel very annoyed when he ran away… even with his justifications I couldn’t find it in myself to forgive his actions, and it left me with a sick feeling in my stomach.
The one thing I think I would have liked more of would be further character development of the Greenhill family. I found them intriguing and creepy but you only really saw them at the end of the story. They weren’t really involved much before the end, they were more observed from afar which was a little disappointing.
I think I can come to the conclusion that this book was good, it just wasn’t for me. I feel it does warrants its place in the Red Eye collection as many people will find this a thrilling read.
January 16, 2024
So upset by ending but maybe if Mc diverted their attention with gangnam style 🤨🤨🤨
November 1, 2015
This review was originally posted on www.talesofyesterday.co.uk
Flesh and Blood by Simon Cheshire is the third book to be released in 2015 as part of the new YA Horror Red Eye Series by Stripes Publishing with more titles to come later this year.
Flesh and Blood took the scares and in this case gore up another notch on the heart rate meter! I used to love the 90’s Point Horror series when I was a teenager as well as being a huge fan of James Dawson and I am excited about the whole premise of a new UK YA Horror series with a contemporary makeover that has left me craving more and to collect and read the rest in the series asap.
Here is my account of a book called Flesh and Blood....which I need to write objectively like an enthusiastic blogger would do....but firstly....this book scared the hibbie jeebies out of me!
I must record the facts, a sequence of events, the chain of suspicions and thoughts that I had whilst reading this book that led me to how I feel right now! So that when someone reads this they understand!
I have to set down everything, to document it, from the beginning.
I have to think clearly. Breathe deeply.
I'll sit and think for a while. Then I'll write.....
I have to face the consequence of my actions, of what I would do for my love of YA Horror!
If events had happened differently, if I hadn't been so intent of on following my love for a good old scare then perhaps I wouldn't be here now, sitting at this desk...alone and scared!
You see, whilst reading this book I met a character called Sam Hunter who wants to be a journalist. Sam was new to the town of Hadlington! He moved with his parents, after they came into some money, to a house on an unlit street called Priory Mews. New area meant new school for Sam, Maybrick High, and he soon made friends with the lovely Jo and joker Liam. There is a mansion also in the same cul de sac where Sam lives called Bierce Priory where the prettiest girl in school, Emma Greenhill, lives with her GP mother and surgeon father and her creepy grandfather.
All pretty normal eh?....but this was the book lulling me into a false sense of security!
The Bierce Priory mansion is creepy! At night Sam hears screams, see things he shouldn't see .... hears things he shouldn't hear....but that was just the noisy old mansion boilers right?! People from the rough estate, Elton Gardens start going missing and dead bodies are found in the town with body parts or organs removed from their actual bodies! But surely that must be the gangs from Elton Gardens right?! And what's with everybody getting the sniffles?!
Do we really know our neighbours? I mean I live next door to my Mom and since reading this book have started to look at her a bit funny and in horror.....is her house like Bierce Priory?! *dum dum duuuuuuummmm*
*gulps at receiving a Halloween party invitation*
Only kidding Mom, but this book really does make you think....and creeps you out!
If I only new that this book would draw me in as much as it did, scare me to death reading late at night and make me feel a bit icky whilst eating a good spag bol....but all in a good way! *nervous laugh*
Sam tells his story through writing a journal sometimes breaking from the story to talk directly to the reader....I really felt for Sam and was routing for him all the way through! The relationship he builds with his new friends Jo and Liam is touching and very horror movie-esqe as in he ropes them in to help when they should be running the other way! And the poor guy sees a dead body on his first day of new school....I mean he was destined for trouble! Poor Sam!
At one point during Sam's account of events he begins to imagine horrific things like bugs crawling on him and mouths opening wide to eat him! This for me was terrifying but also one of my favourite parts of Sam's account as the detail really sent my imagination into overdrive! I had to cuddle my Sammy Seal teddy and sleep with the light on all night afterwards....erm did I really just say that out loud?! *blushes*...I totally mean I was brave!
The book instilled memories of watching the films The Stepford Wives with a mixture of Saw and Hostel thrown into the mix! Wow what a truly cool and terrifying combination!
Simon Cheshire's contribution to the fab Red Eye series is fantastic! The book and writing style do exactly what they are supposed to do for the reader as a YA Horror should and will proudly sit on my shelf next to the others in the series! Thank you Simon and Stripes Publishing for keeping my love for YA Horror well and truly alive! *pinches self to check I am still alive*
The facts of what are contained in this book that I read I really cannot share although I want to, but....spoilers... you really need to all read it for yourselves....find out the real account...the first hand account ....the truth....from Sam Hunter...IF YOU DARE!
For more reviews and more please visit www.talesofyesterday.co.
Flesh and Blood by Simon Cheshire is the third book to be released in 2015 as part of the new YA Horror Red Eye Series by Stripes Publishing with more titles to come later this year.
Flesh and Blood took the scares and in this case gore up another notch on the heart rate meter! I used to love the 90’s Point Horror series when I was a teenager as well as being a huge fan of James Dawson and I am excited about the whole premise of a new UK YA Horror series with a contemporary makeover that has left me craving more and to collect and read the rest in the series asap.
Here is my account of a book called Flesh and Blood....which I need to write objectively like an enthusiastic blogger would do....but firstly....this book scared the hibbie jeebies out of me!
I must record the facts, a sequence of events, the chain of suspicions and thoughts that I had whilst reading this book that led me to how I feel right now! So that when someone reads this they understand!
I have to set down everything, to document it, from the beginning.
I have to think clearly. Breathe deeply.
I'll sit and think for a while. Then I'll write.....
I have to face the consequence of my actions, of what I would do for my love of YA Horror!
If events had happened differently, if I hadn't been so intent of on following my love for a good old scare then perhaps I wouldn't be here now, sitting at this desk...alone and scared!
You see, whilst reading this book I met a character called Sam Hunter who wants to be a journalist. Sam was new to the town of Hadlington! He moved with his parents, after they came into some money, to a house on an unlit street called Priory Mews. New area meant new school for Sam, Maybrick High, and he soon made friends with the lovely Jo and joker Liam. There is a mansion also in the same cul de sac where Sam lives called Bierce Priory where the prettiest girl in school, Emma Greenhill, lives with her GP mother and surgeon father and her creepy grandfather.
All pretty normal eh?....but this was the book lulling me into a false sense of security!
The Bierce Priory mansion is creepy! At night Sam hears screams, see things he shouldn't see .... hears things he shouldn't hear....but that was just the noisy old mansion boilers right?! People from the rough estate, Elton Gardens start going missing and dead bodies are found in the town with body parts or organs removed from their actual bodies! But surely that must be the gangs from Elton Gardens right?! And what's with everybody getting the sniffles?!
Do we really know our neighbours? I mean I live next door to my Mom and since reading this book have started to look at her a bit funny and in horror.....is her house like Bierce Priory?! *dum dum duuuuuuummmm*
*gulps at receiving a Halloween party invitation*
Only kidding Mom, but this book really does make you think....and creeps you out!
If I only new that this book would draw me in as much as it did, scare me to death reading late at night and make me feel a bit icky whilst eating a good spag bol....but all in a good way! *nervous laugh*
Sam tells his story through writing a journal sometimes breaking from the story to talk directly to the reader....I really felt for Sam and was routing for him all the way through! The relationship he builds with his new friends Jo and Liam is touching and very horror movie-esqe as in he ropes them in to help when they should be running the other way! And the poor guy sees a dead body on his first day of new school....I mean he was destined for trouble! Poor Sam!
At one point during Sam's account of events he begins to imagine horrific things like bugs crawling on him and mouths opening wide to eat him! This for me was terrifying but also one of my favourite parts of Sam's account as the detail really sent my imagination into overdrive! I had to cuddle my Sammy Seal teddy and sleep with the light on all night afterwards....erm did I really just say that out loud?! *blushes*...I totally mean I was brave!
The book instilled memories of watching the films The Stepford Wives with a mixture of Saw and Hostel thrown into the mix! Wow what a truly cool and terrifying combination!
Simon Cheshire's contribution to the fab Red Eye series is fantastic! The book and writing style do exactly what they are supposed to do for the reader as a YA Horror should and will proudly sit on my shelf next to the others in the series! Thank you Simon and Stripes Publishing for keeping my love for YA Horror well and truly alive! *pinches self to check I am still alive*
The facts of what are contained in this book that I read I really cannot share although I want to, but....spoilers... you really need to all read it for yourselves....find out the real account...the first hand account ....the truth....from Sam Hunter...IF YOU DARE!
For more reviews and more please visit www.talesofyesterday.co.
October 18, 2015
https://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com/201...
Rating: 3.75 stars.
#RedEyeReadAlong – 12/10/2015 – 18/10/2015
I've been reading several horror novels in the #redeyereadalong on Goodreads, this is the third book in the series from Stripes Publishing that I have read, enjoyed, (if that's the right word!) and reviewed. During this week's #RedEyeReadAlong – 12/10/2015 – 18/10/2015, I've been immersed in Flesh and Blood. Oops that doesn't sound right, let's hastily change that to I've been reading Flesh and Blood!
Flesh and Blood kind of lives up to expectations in terms of its title - this is a pretty gruesome horror read. The central theme of Flesh and Blood is not ghosts, scary dolls, vampires, witches or demons, it focusses on warped people, doing some disgustingly deplorable actions. In my opinion this makes it a harder to take read, we can't blame it on a fantasy element, it's the human race that's well and truly screwed up! So this is a horror read for those who like their horror choc-a-bloc full of gore.
The beginning starts of fairly slow, fooling the reader into thinking that perhaps nothing too horrible can possibly happen in the apparent heavenly suburbia of Hadlington. But even then there are huge hints that horrendous things are about to happen. A dead guy is found in the park on Sam's first day at his new school and the state he is in isn't exactly picnic viewing. Put it this way a lot of the kids from school who see his dead body are offered counselling afterwards. Nearby in an area known as Elton Gardens there is gang activity, giving the snobby kids and their parents a ready scapegoat for the murdered guy. This is a fast paced read which explores class differences, snobbery, and reminding me of the cruelty perpetrated in the Second World War. It manages to do this all in a neatly packaged horror format. I have to admit to turning pages in a desperate need to find out what happened in the end, (the ending is no picnic either.) Somehow, the ending left me feeling rather depressed!! Though in its defence the ending rocked, it was undoubtedly the strongest conclusion but don't expect a cheerful read !! Hey this is horror!! Overall, I would say that Flesh and Blood is a well crafted story but I have a slight personal preference for Frozen Charlotte and Sleepless in the books I have read up to now in the #redeyereadalong.
The main reason why?
Due to Sam's interest in journalism, and his narrating the story, the reader can expect a fair amount of telling in this novel. At times this narrative device just annoyed and distanced me from the story. At a particularly pivotal point in Flesh and Blood Sam told the reader exactly what was going to happen next, and I was just staring at the page and wondering why, why, why? I found it difficult to identify with the main character Sam Hunter possibly due to this and some of his actions though understandable under the circumstances nevertheless came across as pretty heartless. So if Sam ended up in deep water I didn't really care as much as I should have done if he'd been more likeable. In fact I think I identified more strongly with his nerdy friends, Liam and Jo, who he leads into trouble, and I ended up feeling very sorry for them. Of all the characters Emma Greenhill, Sam's neighbour, and the Greenhill's in general captured the full focus of my attention with Emma's sweet perfection at the beginning evolving into something else entirely.
Apart from the above points Simon Cheshire wove a clever story, and kept me entertained all the way through, though it was pretty gruesome in parts, and definitely not for the younger reader or those who don't like gore!
There is a warning on the back of the book about Flesh and Blood not being suitable for younger readers which is undoubtedly justified.
A bit mixed feelings about this one, a highly compulsive read, with an ending that doesn't hold back, bringing Sam's narrating to a conclusion which leaves you with a sick feeling lodged in the pit of your stomach, so BEWARE it might not be for everyone.. Possibly I'm too much of a horror novice to cope!!! EEK!
Rating: 3.75 stars.
#RedEyeReadAlong – 12/10/2015 – 18/10/2015
I've been reading several horror novels in the #redeyereadalong on Goodreads, this is the third book in the series from Stripes Publishing that I have read, enjoyed, (if that's the right word!) and reviewed. During this week's #RedEyeReadAlong – 12/10/2015 – 18/10/2015, I've been immersed in Flesh and Blood. Oops that doesn't sound right, let's hastily change that to I've been reading Flesh and Blood!
Flesh and Blood kind of lives up to expectations in terms of its title - this is a pretty gruesome horror read. The central theme of Flesh and Blood is not ghosts, scary dolls, vampires, witches or demons, it focusses on warped people, doing some disgustingly deplorable actions. In my opinion this makes it a harder to take read, we can't blame it on a fantasy element, it's the human race that's well and truly screwed up! So this is a horror read for those who like their horror choc-a-bloc full of gore.
The beginning starts of fairly slow, fooling the reader into thinking that perhaps nothing too horrible can possibly happen in the apparent heavenly suburbia of Hadlington. But even then there are huge hints that horrendous things are about to happen. A dead guy is found in the park on Sam's first day at his new school and the state he is in isn't exactly picnic viewing. Put it this way a lot of the kids from school who see his dead body are offered counselling afterwards. Nearby in an area known as Elton Gardens there is gang activity, giving the snobby kids and their parents a ready scapegoat for the murdered guy. This is a fast paced read which explores class differences, snobbery, and reminding me of the cruelty perpetrated in the Second World War. It manages to do this all in a neatly packaged horror format. I have to admit to turning pages in a desperate need to find out what happened in the end, (the ending is no picnic either.) Somehow, the ending left me feeling rather depressed!! Though in its defence the ending rocked, it was undoubtedly the strongest conclusion but don't expect a cheerful read !! Hey this is horror!! Overall, I would say that Flesh and Blood is a well crafted story but I have a slight personal preference for Frozen Charlotte and Sleepless in the books I have read up to now in the #redeyereadalong.
The main reason why?
Due to Sam's interest in journalism, and his narrating the story, the reader can expect a fair amount of telling in this novel. At times this narrative device just annoyed and distanced me from the story. At a particularly pivotal point in Flesh and Blood Sam told the reader exactly what was going to happen next, and I was just staring at the page and wondering why, why, why? I found it difficult to identify with the main character Sam Hunter possibly due to this and some of his actions though understandable under the circumstances nevertheless came across as pretty heartless. So if Sam ended up in deep water I didn't really care as much as I should have done if he'd been more likeable. In fact I think I identified more strongly with his nerdy friends, Liam and Jo, who he leads into trouble, and I ended up feeling very sorry for them. Of all the characters Emma Greenhill, Sam's neighbour, and the Greenhill's in general captured the full focus of my attention with Emma's sweet perfection at the beginning evolving into something else entirely.
Apart from the above points Simon Cheshire wove a clever story, and kept me entertained all the way through, though it was pretty gruesome in parts, and definitely not for the younger reader or those who don't like gore!
There is a warning on the back of the book about Flesh and Blood not being suitable for younger readers which is undoubtedly justified.
A bit mixed feelings about this one, a highly compulsive read, with an ending that doesn't hold back, bringing Sam's narrating to a conclusion which leaves you with a sick feeling lodged in the pit of your stomach, so BEWARE it might not be for everyone.. Possibly I'm too much of a horror novice to cope!!! EEK!
July 28, 2023
Ciekawa książka z nieoczywistym zakończeniem. Szybko się czytała, bardzo przyjemnie.
Bohaterzy fajnie wymyśleni, chociaż oczywiście jak to w thrillerach/horrorach bywa, głupi, ale wszystko dało się skleić w całość.
Momentami coś się nie kleiło, decyzje były bezmyślne, ale bohaterowie też jacyś bardzo dorośli nie byli, więc zrzucam to na ich wiek.
Ogólnie dałabym tu 4½ ⭐️ ale nie ma możliwości połówek
Bohaterzy fajnie wymyśleni, chociaż oczywiście jak to w thrillerach/horrorach bywa, głupi, ale wszystko dało się skleić w całość.
Momentami coś się nie kleiło, decyzje były bezmyślne, ale bohaterowie też jacyś bardzo dorośli nie byli, więc zrzucam to na ich wiek.
Ogólnie dałabym tu 4½ ⭐️ ale nie ma możliwości połówek
September 13, 2018
horror,trilogy
its was creepy in a good why because it had the fear to it and it was enjoyable
the ending was mind blowing at the end gabe picked up a human skull and then the book ends and i want to keep on reading
its was creepy in a good why because it had the fear to it and it was enjoyable
the ending was mind blowing at the end gabe picked up a human skull and then the book ends and i want to keep on reading
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2025
I enjoyed this book a lot . It was a little gory, I was a little traumatized but it’s a great book . I definitely recommend it if you like plot twists and psychological horror movies and books .
April 13, 2020
This was such an intense book! I’ve never read anything with a story line quite like this and I definitely did not expect the ending to go like it did. Amazing!
March 14, 2015
After very much enjoying the first two instalments of Stripes’ Red Eye series, I was really looking forward to reading the third one, Simon Cheshire’s Flesh and Blood. It was a fun story, well fun in a gory, scary kind of way, but one I enjoyed a lot. Set in what seems to be a small, typical suburban community under the smoke of London, Flesh and Blood tells the tale of seventeen-year-old Sam, who discovers that instead of moving to suburban paradise, his family has moved straight into the cul-de-sac from hell.
The story is told by Sam and I really enjoyed the narrative form Cheshire chose to let him tell his tale in. Sam has ambitions to be a journalist, which is what gets him into trouble in the first place, and they reflect in the way he tells his story. Told in the past tense, looking back from the ending of the story, Sam sometimes sounds as if he is writing a personal essay for English class and at other times his style is a bit more mature and polished. He also editorialises, commenting on his actions and planting clues as to what is coming up. I really enjoyed the way Cheshire built up the narration and I kept wondering who Sam was writing this piece for, the revelation of which was a great twist.
As a protagonist Sam is sympathetic. He’s a good kid, good grades, well-behaved, mostly suffering the usual teenage woes with his parents until they move to Hadlington and everything changes. There is the usual new kid at school stress, compounded by the discovery of a murder victim right in front of the school gates on his first day. But there is also some of the fun of starting anew, such as discovering new friends. He quickly becomes friends with Liam and Jo and I loved the dynamics of this threesome. The scene where Liam introduces Sam to Jo and they discover their mutual nerdiness was adorable. Yet however important Liam and Jo and Emma Greenhill are, none of them becomes as vivid and well-rounded as Sam is.
The horror elements of Flesh and Blood go beyond the gore factor; the setup of the town with the estate at the periphery and the constant stressing of the fact that there is gang activity there make Elton Gardens seem somewhat ominous. Yet the pervasive hold the Greenhills have on the community is far scarier as it created a sense of paranoia and claustrophobia, as it seems as if everyone is watching Sam and reporting back to the Greenhills. All of these elements fuel Sam’s own considerable self-doubt, no one doubts Sam’s theory about the Greenhills as much as Sam himself does. Watching Sam investigate the matter and the slow build up of clues and evidence was fascinating. The inexorableness of the investigation’s results and the rising panic that suffuse the latter part of the book were well done, though the ending broke the tension rather brusquely. While the ending was very well executed, I actually didn’t like how the book concluded. It felt as if it came to a crashing halt, since the last third or so of the book drives the tension constantly higher, so that when the resolution appears it feels rather abrupt.
Despite my quibbles with its ending, I enjoyed Simon Cheshire’s Flesh and Blood. If you like your horror gory and tense and you heroes earnest and straightforward, then you should definitely pick this up. Note however that the book carries a warning about its suitability for younger YA readers and in this case I think that’s a valid warning, so parents might want to read along with their younger children.
This book was provided for review by the publisher.
The story is told by Sam and I really enjoyed the narrative form Cheshire chose to let him tell his tale in. Sam has ambitions to be a journalist, which is what gets him into trouble in the first place, and they reflect in the way he tells his story. Told in the past tense, looking back from the ending of the story, Sam sometimes sounds as if he is writing a personal essay for English class and at other times his style is a bit more mature and polished. He also editorialises, commenting on his actions and planting clues as to what is coming up. I really enjoyed the way Cheshire built up the narration and I kept wondering who Sam was writing this piece for, the revelation of which was a great twist.
As a protagonist Sam is sympathetic. He’s a good kid, good grades, well-behaved, mostly suffering the usual teenage woes with his parents until they move to Hadlington and everything changes. There is the usual new kid at school stress, compounded by the discovery of a murder victim right in front of the school gates on his first day. But there is also some of the fun of starting anew, such as discovering new friends. He quickly becomes friends with Liam and Jo and I loved the dynamics of this threesome. The scene where Liam introduces Sam to Jo and they discover their mutual nerdiness was adorable. Yet however important Liam and Jo and Emma Greenhill are, none of them becomes as vivid and well-rounded as Sam is.
The horror elements of Flesh and Blood go beyond the gore factor; the setup of the town with the estate at the periphery and the constant stressing of the fact that there is gang activity there make Elton Gardens seem somewhat ominous. Yet the pervasive hold the Greenhills have on the community is far scarier as it created a sense of paranoia and claustrophobia, as it seems as if everyone is watching Sam and reporting back to the Greenhills. All of these elements fuel Sam’s own considerable self-doubt, no one doubts Sam’s theory about the Greenhills as much as Sam himself does. Watching Sam investigate the matter and the slow build up of clues and evidence was fascinating. The inexorableness of the investigation’s results and the rising panic that suffuse the latter part of the book were well done, though the ending broke the tension rather brusquely. While the ending was very well executed, I actually didn’t like how the book concluded. It felt as if it came to a crashing halt, since the last third or so of the book drives the tension constantly higher, so that when the resolution appears it feels rather abrupt.
Despite my quibbles with its ending, I enjoyed Simon Cheshire’s Flesh and Blood. If you like your horror gory and tense and you heroes earnest and straightforward, then you should definitely pick this up. Note however that the book carries a warning about its suitability for younger YA readers and in this case I think that’s a valid warning, so parents might want to read along with their younger children.
This book was provided for review by the publisher.
November 9, 2015
Summary: Sam Hunter's family has always struggled until his father, a musician, sells a song and suddenly they have millions of pounds to allow them to move to an affluent neighborhood. The family moves into a large house near an estate (in England, an "Estate" is like the American "Projects") and they meet their new neighbors, the Greenhills. But why does everyone they meet have a thin line of yellow mucous on their upper lips? And why do his parents seem so cheerful all of a sudden? Everyone around him seems strange, and Sam believes that the Greenhills must be up to something. He begins to investigate, using all of his skills as a journalist, but he never expects what he actually finds.
My Thoughts: Ugh. I hated it. Not so much as to give it a one-star rating, but this book was quite awful.
To begin with, the book starts out with several pages (I didn't count) of a massive info-dump that details the life that Sam and his family had before they moved, through to the journey to their new home, and details of how his father got the money. All of this information is redundant, and the reader doesn't need to read it in order to get into the book. This is the sort of thing that I hate in a novel and I hope that when I finally begin writing mine, I won't do this myself.
I won't ever read another book by Simon Cheshire because of this one annoyance. It's death for an author in my books.
The second thing that bothered me is that the author made a show of being English. I've lived in England, and I know the slang pretty well as a result, but I felt like the entire book was anglicized to the point that it was difficult to read as an American. And I mean that it wasn't just an annoyance, but that I almost couldn't get through it because I had to use context to figure out terminology I hadn't encountered when living in England or enjoying British literature in books, movies, and television.
This is the second book I've read with this problem recently.
The story simply didn't make up for these things. It was an alright story, when it moved, but it didn't move quickly, and once the author reached the climax (another one who hit the timing right, so he gets kudos there!), the book actually slowed down again. Action around the climax was slow moving and, for me, boring. It didn't entertain and I wasn't impressed with it at all.
I have to admit that the ending was something of a redeeming quality, as it was the best-written part of the book (maybe the author wrote this part first!) and it startled me more than most horror novels manage to startle me. Unfortunately it wasn't enough to save this book, and though it might have brought it from a 1 to a 2 star rating, I don't plan on reading something from this author again.
Not recommended!
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This is my honest opinion of the novel.
My Thoughts: Ugh. I hated it. Not so much as to give it a one-star rating, but this book was quite awful.
To begin with, the book starts out with several pages (I didn't count) of a massive info-dump that details the life that Sam and his family had before they moved, through to the journey to their new home, and details of how his father got the money. All of this information is redundant, and the reader doesn't need to read it in order to get into the book. This is the sort of thing that I hate in a novel and I hope that when I finally begin writing mine, I won't do this myself.
I won't ever read another book by Simon Cheshire because of this one annoyance. It's death for an author in my books.
The second thing that bothered me is that the author made a show of being English. I've lived in England, and I know the slang pretty well as a result, but I felt like the entire book was anglicized to the point that it was difficult to read as an American. And I mean that it wasn't just an annoyance, but that I almost couldn't get through it because I had to use context to figure out terminology I hadn't encountered when living in England or enjoying British literature in books, movies, and television.
This is the second book I've read with this problem recently.
The story simply didn't make up for these things. It was an alright story, when it moved, but it didn't move quickly, and once the author reached the climax (another one who hit the timing right, so he gets kudos there!), the book actually slowed down again. Action around the climax was slow moving and, for me, boring. It didn't entertain and I wasn't impressed with it at all.
I have to admit that the ending was something of a redeeming quality, as it was the best-written part of the book (maybe the author wrote this part first!) and it startled me more than most horror novels manage to startle me. Unfortunately it wasn't enough to save this book, and though it might have brought it from a 1 to a 2 star rating, I don't plan on reading something from this author again.
Not recommended!
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This is my honest opinion of the novel.
February 6, 2020
The book Flesh and Blood by Simon Cheshire is one of my favorite books out of the Red eye series, which is a series of horror/thriller books by different authors. Flesh and blood was very dark and definitely not for the faint at heart. Its more for someone who doesn't mind gore or disturbing mental images. The author Simon Cheshire did an outstanding job describing the crazy discoveries the characters made. Some parts it was hard putting the book down and the story took so many plot twists which I enjoyed. Certain parts in the book were very psychotic and it gave me chills. It also made me want to know the author's thinking process behind this book. I did find certain things disturbing to imagine, but that's what I liked about this book. I liked that it was dark, and disturbing, and how it gave me chills, I don't think many books have that effect and that's why it's cool to see authors do this. The ending was also a small twist and it sort of left me wanting . I do not think there will be part 2 since it would be impossible to continue the story from where it ended off, and if there was i don't think it would be that good since there really is not much left for the main character. All in all the book Flesh and Blood by Simon Cheshire is an intense dark and twisted book. It is not for the faint of heart but more for an older darker audience.
September 2, 2022
it's well made, very descriptive I had given it three stars (I would have given it four because of the writing style but I'm not a writer and I don't care much for English unless I'm reading) it's not a cliche story that Once upon a time, adventure, everyone lives happily ever after, instead it starts with you knowing nothing and until the end of the book you don't know what happened e.g did he escape so that's he's writing for a newspaper, and the ending isn't happilyeverafter its more... that the end as she is walking towards me, its very crisscross and you need to pay attention or you will miss what happened even for one second but don't let that put you off read to your hearts content and enjoy being horrified keep reading, BE FANGIIIIIIIIIRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 17, 2016
Flesh and blood by Simon Cheshire is a horror and teens ya read.
I must record the facts that have led me to where I am now. So that, when someone reads this, they understand.
Sam Hunter’s neighbours are pillars of the community, the most influential people in town. But they’re liars too. The Greenhills are hiding something and Sam’s determined to find out what it is. As his investigation unfolds, he realizes the lies reach further than he ever imagined – is there anyone he can trust? Uncovering the horror is one thing … escaping is another.
Simon Cheshire’s chilling novel is part of the Red Eye series.
I love these books. I did not like emma or her family they were nutty. I liked Sam. I liked the ending too. highly recommended. 5* from me. Thanks to netgalley for the arc.
I must record the facts that have led me to where I am now. So that, when someone reads this, they understand.
Sam Hunter’s neighbours are pillars of the community, the most influential people in town. But they’re liars too. The Greenhills are hiding something and Sam’s determined to find out what it is. As his investigation unfolds, he realizes the lies reach further than he ever imagined – is there anyone he can trust? Uncovering the horror is one thing … escaping is another.
Simon Cheshire’s chilling novel is part of the Red Eye series.
I love these books. I did not like emma or her family they were nutty. I liked Sam. I liked the ending too. highly recommended. 5* from me. Thanks to netgalley for the arc.
April 14, 2015
I was really looking forward to being creeped out and disturbed – in the best possible sense of course. ;) But the book didn't turn out to be what I expected. Flesh and Blood is very clear in its good vs bad, it all comes across as straight lines to me (and it might just be me).
Once you realised what the story was, I hoped for more conflict. If I wasn’t going to have nightmares about the house then let my moral compass be challenged by wondering if the Greenhill Family had a point - however minuscule. That’s a disturbing horror story on a different level… evil that has reasoning is truly terrifying.
Once you realised what the story was, I hoped for more conflict. If I wasn’t going to have nightmares about the house then let my moral compass be challenged by wondering if the Greenhill Family had a point - however minuscule. That’s a disturbing horror story on a different level… evil that has reasoning is truly terrifying.
September 16, 2021
It definitely didn't end how I thought it would, it's one of those stories where you want to have a happy ending however there isn't one. Instead he just becomes like all the rest.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2018
The front cover is okay I guess but I love how instead of the medical heart they used the one associated with love, and next to it says you belong to me, this could mean the author wanted us to know that mentally the person was a victim to others or I could be channeling my inner english teacher (ew no). The book itself was okay, wasn't anything special the ending was weak but page 244 was amazing, it was very eye opening and made a lot of sense: money is the only freedom and power is politics. To me money is not actually a freedom but rather after a while a burden because you will constantly be afraid you will get robbed and without the money you would be nothing, so money is another form of a trap. The value of an individual is directly correlated to his or her education or job yet society refuses to face the truth - YES that is right.
I liked the foreshadowing in the book, "Reminds me of a movie where there is a mad man with a message that nobody what's to know - The Invasion of the body snatchers" The Greenhills snatch bodies.
Emma was a weak character, I preferred Jo. Emma disguising her insanity was bad, for someone that can cover up murders she is incapable of hiding her feelings to those she feels is below her - how polloi. The Greenhills LEFT clues everywhere and that shows their arrogance so yeah. My least favourite of the RED EYE books even after sleepless and that was 😬. I LOVED DARK ROOM AND FROZEN CHARLOTTE OMDSSS.
- the ending was meh
-the characters were ugh - doing classic dumb horror things (going out at midnight from hearing a scream)
-the writing was okay
- I loved how it was set in the UK like FINALLY, I was getting tired of hearing about eighth grade and nineth grade and trying to mentally work it out. This book was kinda relatable to me especially: "The types of schools you see on BBC for Cardiff's worst school" - I'm paraphrasing I don't even know where Cardiff is, I'm from London. I think Cardiff is wales ion know.
MORAL OF STORY: Don't go out at midnight if you do, don't look up. And also always remember to LISTEN TO LIAM. :)
I liked the foreshadowing in the book, "Reminds me of a movie where there is a mad man with a message that nobody what's to know - The Invasion of the body snatchers" The Greenhills snatch bodies.
Emma was a weak character, I preferred Jo. Emma disguising her insanity was bad, for someone that can cover up murders she is incapable of hiding her feelings to those she feels is below her - how polloi. The Greenhills LEFT clues everywhere and that shows their arrogance so yeah. My least favourite of the RED EYE books even after sleepless and that was 😬. I LOVED DARK ROOM AND FROZEN CHARLOTTE OMDSSS.
- the ending was meh
-the characters were ugh - doing classic dumb horror things (going out at midnight from hearing a scream)
-the writing was okay
- I loved how it was set in the UK like FINALLY, I was getting tired of hearing about eighth grade and nineth grade and trying to mentally work it out. This book was kinda relatable to me especially: "The types of schools you see on BBC for Cardiff's worst school" - I'm paraphrasing I don't even know where Cardiff is, I'm from London. I think Cardiff is wales ion know.
MORAL OF STORY: Don't go out at midnight if you do, don't look up. And also always remember to LISTEN TO LIAM. :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2020
2.5 stars. I read the synopsis of this book and thought it sounded utterly intriguing, I loved the title, the cover, I was really excited to start it and actually chose it for my book club - I’m now embarrassed that this was my choice.
The idea and general story were interesting and exciting, but very badly executed. The plot was unrealistic and the writing style was spacey and bland and had a very thrown-together feel.
I found it all too convenient that Sam’s new friends just happened to be an ICT genius and the daughter of a journalist and the characters in general were very unrealistic and cliched. When Emma damages her father’s axe and her mother states “That’s coming out of your allowance, young lady.” I felt myself cringe.
I love horrors, but I found this book a little too sick with the bodies and limbs of dead carcasses being swapped and dissected, and I was horrified to discover that Flesh and Blood is actually listed under the “young adult” genre. I feel like if you’re going to write a twisted, psychological horror, then stick to adult fiction, because I would be horrified to think of under sixteens reading this book. Totally inappropriate.
Overall, I feel like this was a fantastic idea that has been completely botched with poor writing quality, tired cliches and unrealistic characters and occurrences.
I think next time Simon Cheshire has a bright idea he should sell it to a someone who can actually write, then we may be onto a winner.
The idea and general story were interesting and exciting, but very badly executed. The plot was unrealistic and the writing style was spacey and bland and had a very thrown-together feel.
I found it all too convenient that Sam’s new friends just happened to be an ICT genius and the daughter of a journalist and the characters in general were very unrealistic and cliched. When Emma damages her father’s axe and her mother states “That’s coming out of your allowance, young lady.” I felt myself cringe.
I love horrors, but I found this book a little too sick with the bodies and limbs of dead carcasses being swapped and dissected, and I was horrified to discover that Flesh and Blood is actually listed under the “young adult” genre. I feel like if you’re going to write a twisted, psychological horror, then stick to adult fiction, because I would be horrified to think of under sixteens reading this book. Totally inappropriate.
Overall, I feel like this was a fantastic idea that has been completely botched with poor writing quality, tired cliches and unrealistic characters and occurrences.
I think next time Simon Cheshire has a bright idea he should sell it to a someone who can actually write, then we may be onto a winner.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2017
Truly horrific!
When I started reading about this book I wasn't sure about it. It took a while to get into the main story but when it got there you were stuck in this horrid world. It felt to me like one of those 90's tv shows. It was that typical annoying episode where the main character spouts the truth but no one believes them! For me that is truly annoying! But it worked well in this instance.
The book also had similar themes as 'Series of unfortunate events' as the main character never succeeded and when they did it was a dream or their only witness was killed.
I was reading this book in bed and when I finished I was left feeling pretty traumatised about the whole thing. Its nice to read a horror story and feel rather horrified after. It is a book that relies heavily on scaring you with gore as its very descriptive/vivid when describing its gory scenes. As I am rather squeamish that scared me a little but for those who want something with less gore this might not be the one for you. Its like the SAW films.
My small gripes with the book were: the plot was sometimes tedious in places and some areas seemed like padding but overall it says its a horror book and it delivered. Don't read before bed if you are easily traumatised or a big baby like myself.
When I started reading about this book I wasn't sure about it. It took a while to get into the main story but when it got there you were stuck in this horrid world. It felt to me like one of those 90's tv shows. It was that typical annoying episode where the main character spouts the truth but no one believes them! For me that is truly annoying! But it worked well in this instance.
The book also had similar themes as 'Series of unfortunate events' as the main character never succeeded and when they did it was a dream or their only witness was killed.
I was reading this book in bed and when I finished I was left feeling pretty traumatised about the whole thing. Its nice to read a horror story and feel rather horrified after. It is a book that relies heavily on scaring you with gore as its very descriptive/vivid when describing its gory scenes. As I am rather squeamish that scared me a little but for those who want something with less gore this might not be the one for you. Its like the SAW films.
My small gripes with the book were: the plot was sometimes tedious in places and some areas seemed like padding but overall it says its a horror book and it delivered. Don't read before bed if you are easily traumatised or a big baby like myself.
March 15, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. I liked the dynamic of a poor boy's family getting a big break and being able to afford a more lavish lifestyle in a more 'sophisticated' neighborhood. I had a few minor problems with it though. That being, it was quite boring to read through all the research Sam did over his break. Parts of it were interesting and other parts and it read like a student essay; boring. At some points I felt like Sam wasn't doing things fast enough and at others I felt like he was rushing into things too quickly. How he convinced Liam and Jo to go with him into that house so easily is beyond me.
From the beginning of the book, I suspected what type of story it would be and at the climax I was proven right. I suspected the Greenhills would be the type of mad scientists type to have body parts in their house. It was a surprise for me for the Greenhills to keep living specimen in their house and operate on them. That was the most repulsive thing for me.
The Greenhills keeping generations of them alive through their advancements was a good layer of the story. I think having the Greenhills have connections in the police force was icing on the cake in this story. Not only were they capturing people out of a poverty stricken part of the city, knowing their cover up stories would be easy to believe because of their situation, and cutting them up as they pleased, but they also had figures in law enforcement that would turn them a blind eye. Which meant no matter what Sam found out, the Greenhills weren't going to get caught for it.
From the beginning of the book, I suspected what type of story it would be and at the climax I was proven right. I suspected the Greenhills would be the type of mad scientists type to have body parts in their house. It was a surprise for me for the Greenhills to keep living specimen in their house and operate on them. That was the most repulsive thing for me.
The Greenhills keeping generations of them alive through their advancements was a good layer of the story. I think having the Greenhills have connections in the police force was icing on the cake in this story. Not only were they capturing people out of a poverty stricken part of the city, knowing their cover up stories would be easy to believe because of their situation, and cutting them up as they pleased, but they also had figures in law enforcement that would turn them a blind eye. Which meant no matter what Sam found out, the Greenhills weren't going to get caught for it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2018
This book was the darkest, most twisted and horrid one I’ve read. Despite being a slow-boiling narrative, the unfolding of the events was impeccably timed and written in a way that truly brought the story to life. Flesh and Blood is a horror book, containing many sick, ghastly elements, however, it had a clearly well-thought plot. A very good horror novel, yet not appropriate for sensitive readers. (Contains a lot of gore!)
The story was so good. The narrative was thrilling, despite being sick and gory. The things mentioned about society, power in money and worth of an individual coming from education, wealthy and disposable resources hit too close to home. Despite being absolutely crazy, the Greenhills saw through right to the core of society. The ending was saddening, Sam being held captive and used for experiments after all he’s done. A good read, however, it possessed many dark and gruesome themes.
The story was so good. The narrative was thrilling, despite being sick and gory. The things mentioned about society, power in money and worth of an individual coming from education, wealthy and disposable resources hit too close to home. Despite being absolutely crazy, the Greenhills saw through right to the core of society. The ending was saddening, Sam being held captive and used for experiments after all he’s done. A good read, however, it possessed many dark and gruesome themes.
March 5, 2021
Sam Hunter's parents suddenly come into money and decide to move to a more upmarket neighbourhood. When they arrive his parents don't notice anything wrong, but Sam is sure that something strange is going on as their neighbours are acting weirdly placid and all seem to have some sort of cold. At school, Sam makes friends with Liam and Jo and surprisingly with the beautiful, perfect, Emma Greenhill. The Greenhills live across from Sam and he can see their house from his bedroom window, and as the strange occurrences begin to increase, he wonders if the Greenhills are behind them.
This is one of the creepier Red Eye series books, and is was rather good. There's a sense of unease from the first page, and one or two surprises further on. Sam is a protagonist that the reader can empathise with and this draws you into the story. It is macabre in some places so if you are squeamish at all, be warned.
This is one of the creepier Red Eye series books, and is was rather good. There's a sense of unease from the first page, and one or two surprises further on. Sam is a protagonist that the reader can empathise with and this draws you into the story. It is macabre in some places so if you are squeamish at all, be warned.
December 2, 2023
Junto a sus padres, Sam se muda a un vecindario adinerado y durante su primer día conoce a sus vecinos, la familia Greenhills, conformados por una pareja de doctores y su hija Emma, de quien Sam termina encandilado. Se sienten bienvenidos, sin embargo, Sam empieza a notar comportamientos extraños en todos los demás vecinos y después de la insistencia de ir a consulta médica con la madre de Emma y los extraños ruidos y sucesos que provienen de la casa de a lado, presiente que ambas cosas están relacionadas y no auguran nada bueno.
De la colección es el libro que menos me entusiasmaba e inició de manera tan lenta que sabía no me gustaría. Me alegra haber tomado la decisión de pausarle y retomarle después de un tiempo porque terminé disfrutándolo muchísimo. Aproximadamente después de la mitad del libro todo comienza a dejar de ser circunstancial para volverse creíble y, con ello, trepidante.
De la colección es el libro que menos me entusiasmaba e inició de manera tan lenta que sabía no me gustaría. Me alegra haber tomado la decisión de pausarle y retomarle después de un tiempo porque terminé disfrutándolo muchísimo. Aproximadamente después de la mitad del libro todo comienza a dejar de ser circunstancial para volverse creíble y, con ello, trepidante.
July 12, 2018
Upon moving, his first day at his new school begins with the discovery of a body with it's brain removed!
However after that he starts to notice his new neighbours all have matching snot trails and seem endlessly happy in an over the top casual and relaxed way more than anyone should.
Also add to the mix the Greenhill family. Secretive and successful, Sam, Jo and Liam his mates all break in whilst the family are away and discover a creepy unnerving laboratory in their basement which they never could've imagined...
It was very gory and sinister although the ending was shocking and unforgettable as he can't keep away from the powerful Greenhills. I expected it to be about zombies from the title but the truth is better than that as the ideas are odd but refreshing and much more intriguing.
However after that he starts to notice his new neighbours all have matching snot trails and seem endlessly happy in an over the top casual and relaxed way more than anyone should.
Also add to the mix the Greenhill family. Secretive and successful, Sam, Jo and Liam his mates all break in whilst the family are away and discover a creepy unnerving laboratory in their basement which they never could've imagined...
It was very gory and sinister although the ending was shocking and unforgettable as he can't keep away from the powerful Greenhills. I expected it to be about zombies from the title but the truth is better than that as the ideas are odd but refreshing and much more intriguing.
February 13, 2020
This was gory that’s for sure, it had me gagging whilst reading it in parts. It was twisted and so messed up my goodness it was bizarre but a very interesting read.
I liked the way it was written as an after the fact event and Sam the protagonist writing and share each event as they unfolded. The story unfolded in a really good and fun way, it was so interesting watching him decipher what exactly was going on and who was in on it and why.
For a lot of the story it was simple and no horror majorly it was more mystery, the whole time though you know something is going to happen and could tell it was all fake. I wasn’t though expecting the gore and the full on thriller take that it took.
It was a very fascinating book and I did enjoy it a lot, even if some of the gory and disturbing parts had me gagging whilst reading.
I liked the way it was written as an after the fact event and Sam the protagonist writing and share each event as they unfolded. The story unfolded in a really good and fun way, it was so interesting watching him decipher what exactly was going on and who was in on it and why.
For a lot of the story it was simple and no horror majorly it was more mystery, the whole time though you know something is going to happen and could tell it was all fake. I wasn’t though expecting the gore and the full on thriller take that it took.
It was a very fascinating book and I did enjoy it a lot, even if some of the gory and disturbing parts had me gagging whilst reading.
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