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The Resurrectionist Novels #1
Vial Things
When the Resurrectionists of Fissure’s Whipp begin disappearing, eighteen-year-old Allie knows what the murderers are after. The genetic mutation found coursing through the veins of all those like her can heal wounds and even bring back the recently deceased. Throughout history, people have killed to get their hands on even a precious vial of Resurrectionist blood.
After being raised by her aunt when her parents’ lives are taken, Allie knows better than most that staying vigilant means staying alive. On her own for the first time, she'll need more than fighting skills and a sharp blade to survive. Allie will do whatever it takes, even going so far as to befriend a gutter punk with a heart of gold named Ploy who unwittingly trades a few nights a week on her couch in exchange for being a human tripwire to those who may come in the dark.
But as Allie and Ploy's feelings for each other grow, and the looming threat seems to zero in on Allie, she must discover who is behind the horrific killings and stop them before she becomes their next victim.
After being raised by her aunt when her parents’ lives are taken, Allie knows better than most that staying vigilant means staying alive. On her own for the first time, she'll need more than fighting skills and a sharp blade to survive. Allie will do whatever it takes, even going so far as to befriend a gutter punk with a heart of gold named Ploy who unwittingly trades a few nights a week on her couch in exchange for being a human tripwire to those who may come in the dark.
But as Allie and Ploy's feelings for each other grow, and the looming threat seems to zero in on Allie, she must discover who is behind the horrific killings and stop them before she becomes their next victim.
Kindle Edition
First published October 24, 2016
16 people are currently reading
278 people want to read
About the author
Leah Clifford
12 books531 followersJoin my mailing list to receive news, new chapters, and possibly advanced copies of Leah's books! https://landing.mailerlite.com/webfor... Leah Clifford was born and raised outside of Cleveland Ohio. She has an affinity for all things weird and creepy as made evident by her oddity shop Petite Grotesque. Her next project will be a spin-off of her Vial Things trilogy.
She can be found on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/leahclifford
She can be found on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/leahclifford
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 20, 2016
If you've ever read anything by Author Leah Clifford you know it's going to be unique. And a bit dark. And a whole lot awesome. Well that pretty much sums up VIAL THINGS. It's all you really need to know. Of course, if you want to know more...
While you may have read stories about resurrection, the method is fascinating. Clifford created a very distinct process with strict limitations and rules that she adheres to. It is definitely not for the squeamish - things get pretty messy at times. (Though if you're reading a book whose title font is written in blood, you're probably not one of those readers.) But it is a key component of this story and presents quite a few challenges for the main character.
You also may have read stories that had mystery, thrills, action. But with Clifford's distinctive voice, her characters really make this thrilling, mysterious and action-packed story memorable and addictive and exciting. Told from both Allie and Ploy's POVs you'll get to know their secrets, fall in love with them, feel protective of them. You will definitely be hoping for the best possible outcome even if you think it might be impossible.
It took all of twelve seconds for me to become hooked. The author got my interest with the play on words title and the blood drenched cover. She had my curiosity piqued by the very first sentence telling of a late night job and an accidental death. And she had me hooked with the character's no-nonsense first words - "Time of death?" - to the crying girl she encounters.
And I remained riveted throughout. From its "icky" moments to its "wow" moments. From its nail biters to its heartbreaks. From the suspense. From the surprises. From the twists and turns.
I could not have loved this story more. (Well, maybe I could have if I had the next book in the series to dive into and didn't have to wait. But that wouldn't be fair to this story.) I loved that it was messy and gruesome at times. I loved that the characters were kick-ass and edgy and distrusting and secretive and dirty and a touch odd. And I loved that the author made me believe in her reality - where resurrection is possible and there are people whose job it is to give their life's blood to make it so.
I cannot recommend VIAL THINGS enough to anyone who isn't afraid to read about needles, blood, or the gory stuff, and who loves reads that are interesting and different and amazing.
Original GR comments:
Madly in love with this new series by Leah Clifford. So worth the wait. The title lured me in, but it was characters and story that made this unputdownable. I was hooked from the second sentence. It was thrilling, it was dark, it was a little bit gruesome. Perfection. Though it does leave you desperately wanting the next book in the series.
Review TK.
While you may have read stories about resurrection, the method is fascinating. Clifford created a very distinct process with strict limitations and rules that she adheres to. It is definitely not for the squeamish - things get pretty messy at times. (Though if you're reading a book whose title font is written in blood, you're probably not one of those readers.) But it is a key component of this story and presents quite a few challenges for the main character.
You also may have read stories that had mystery, thrills, action. But with Clifford's distinctive voice, her characters really make this thrilling, mysterious and action-packed story memorable and addictive and exciting. Told from both Allie and Ploy's POVs you'll get to know their secrets, fall in love with them, feel protective of them. You will definitely be hoping for the best possible outcome even if you think it might be impossible.
It took all of twelve seconds for me to become hooked. The author got my interest with the play on words title and the blood drenched cover. She had my curiosity piqued by the very first sentence telling of a late night job and an accidental death. And she had me hooked with the character's no-nonsense first words - "Time of death?" - to the crying girl she encounters.
And I remained riveted throughout. From its "icky" moments to its "wow" moments. From its nail biters to its heartbreaks. From the suspense. From the surprises. From the twists and turns.
I could not have loved this story more. (Well, maybe I could have if I had the next book in the series to dive into and didn't have to wait. But that wouldn't be fair to this story.) I loved that it was messy and gruesome at times. I loved that the characters were kick-ass and edgy and distrusting and secretive and dirty and a touch odd. And I loved that the author made me believe in her reality - where resurrection is possible and there are people whose job it is to give their life's blood to make it so.
I cannot recommend VIAL THINGS enough to anyone who isn't afraid to read about needles, blood, or the gory stuff, and who loves reads that are interesting and different and amazing.
Original GR comments:
Madly in love with this new series by Leah Clifford. So worth the wait. The title lured me in, but it was characters and story that made this unputdownable. I was hooked from the second sentence. It was thrilling, it was dark, it was a little bit gruesome. Perfection. Though it does leave you desperately wanting the next book in the series.
Review TK.
August 17, 2016
It’s been quite some time since I’ve read a book from Leah Clifford but it didn’t take long for me to remember why I loved her first series. Vial Things is the start of her new Resurrectionist series and while it definitely gave me the same vibe as her Touch trilogy, it really captured my attention with it’s unique new story.
Vial Things is the story of Allie, a teen resurrectionist trying to escape her gift. She doesn’t mind the whole bringing people back to life thing but she doesn’t like that her family uses it as a way to make money. She decided that the easiest way to deal with it was to leave it all behind. That plan is a good one until resurrectionists start turning up dead. Allie knows that someone is hunting them and she isn’t safe just because she doesn’t use her gift. She teams up with a homeless boy named Ploy and together they set out to make things safe for the resurrectionists again.
Pros:
Characters: I knew I was going to like Allie from the start. Yes she was closed off but that wasn’t really by her choice. The only people in her life who knew what she was capable of wouldn’t accept her once she stopped using her ability. She found it hard to trust others and she didn’t exactly have an easy time of making friends. I found her to be really likable, even if she didn’t show a whole lot of emotion. She was lonely and that was something that is so easy to relate to. That loneliness didn’t stop her from being a total bad-ass though. She was strong and fierce and willing to do what it took to survive. Ploy was similar to Allie in a lot of ways. He was homeless and not exactly fit for the streets. It was easy to see that no matter how he acted, he wasn’t always as brave as he seemed. Allie was a friend to him; one of the only ones he had. He had secrets from her, that’s for sure but so did she. They were both using each other for different reasons but as they used each other they got to know each other and started to genuinely like one another. Neither of them were completely trustworthy and there were times when I questioned what exactly one or the other was going to do but that’s one of the things that kept me hooked and on the edge of my seat.
Backstory: The science behind the resurrectionists did confuse me at times but it was really interesting. The ability isn’t something that everyone gets and it’s not something that just comes out of nowhere. It’s a genetic thing that manifests in some children but not all. As this is the start of a series, I understand that I probably didn’t get everything there is to know about the resurrectionists but I look forward to finding out more. There was so much about the family dynamics that I feel like I didn’t get and I hope to find out more about that as Allie learns more about being part of a group of resurrectionists.
Pacing: The story moves along at a rather quick pace. There isn’t ever really a time when you’ll want to step away from the story. Things are constantly happening and new information is being learned at all times. I had a hard time stepping away from Vial Things once I was really able to sit down and start reading. It’s one of those books that hooks you early on and doesn’t let you go until the last page has been read.
Overall, Vial Things needs to be on your radar, if it’s not already. Leah Clifford has a way with the dark and morbid and scary and I love it. I look forward to reading more in this series.
Vial Things is the story of Allie, a teen resurrectionist trying to escape her gift. She doesn’t mind the whole bringing people back to life thing but she doesn’t like that her family uses it as a way to make money. She decided that the easiest way to deal with it was to leave it all behind. That plan is a good one until resurrectionists start turning up dead. Allie knows that someone is hunting them and she isn’t safe just because she doesn’t use her gift. She teams up with a homeless boy named Ploy and together they set out to make things safe for the resurrectionists again.
Pros:
Characters: I knew I was going to like Allie from the start. Yes she was closed off but that wasn’t really by her choice. The only people in her life who knew what she was capable of wouldn’t accept her once she stopped using her ability. She found it hard to trust others and she didn’t exactly have an easy time of making friends. I found her to be really likable, even if she didn’t show a whole lot of emotion. She was lonely and that was something that is so easy to relate to. That loneliness didn’t stop her from being a total bad-ass though. She was strong and fierce and willing to do what it took to survive. Ploy was similar to Allie in a lot of ways. He was homeless and not exactly fit for the streets. It was easy to see that no matter how he acted, he wasn’t always as brave as he seemed. Allie was a friend to him; one of the only ones he had. He had secrets from her, that’s for sure but so did she. They were both using each other for different reasons but as they used each other they got to know each other and started to genuinely like one another. Neither of them were completely trustworthy and there were times when I questioned what exactly one or the other was going to do but that’s one of the things that kept me hooked and on the edge of my seat.
Backstory: The science behind the resurrectionists did confuse me at times but it was really interesting. The ability isn’t something that everyone gets and it’s not something that just comes out of nowhere. It’s a genetic thing that manifests in some children but not all. As this is the start of a series, I understand that I probably didn’t get everything there is to know about the resurrectionists but I look forward to finding out more. There was so much about the family dynamics that I feel like I didn’t get and I hope to find out more about that as Allie learns more about being part of a group of resurrectionists.
Pacing: The story moves along at a rather quick pace. There isn’t ever really a time when you’ll want to step away from the story. Things are constantly happening and new information is being learned at all times. I had a hard time stepping away from Vial Things once I was really able to sit down and start reading. It’s one of those books that hooks you early on and doesn’t let you go until the last page has been read.
Overall, Vial Things needs to be on your radar, if it’s not already. Leah Clifford has a way with the dark and morbid and scary and I love it. I look forward to reading more in this series.
August 11, 2016
I can't tell you how excited I was to read something fresh and new for the Young Adult crowd. VIAL THINGS stands out in every way, from the unbelievably real characters, to the setting of Fissure's Whip - everything will blow you away and knock you dead. But don't worry, if Allie can gt to you in time she can bring you back.
Read
April 15, 2020Well, time to write the sequel I guess :)
Merged review:
I got to listen to the audiobook! So surreal and they both did such a fantastic job bringing Ploy and Allie to life!
Merged review:
I got to listen to the audiobook! So surreal and they both did such a fantastic job bringing Ploy and Allie to life!
November 15, 2016
Allie is a resurrectionist, which mean she can bring people back from the dead with her blood. When fellow resurrectionists start showing up dead Allie knows that their secret has been found out. Someone out there knows who the resurrectionists are and are hunting them. In the hopes of self-preservation, when her friend, a local homeless teen, asks to crash at her apartment she agrees to let him stay with her. She figures whoever is out there hunting resurrectionists will happen upon Ploy first, thus giving her time to escape. What she doesn't know is that the boy she just invited into her home is in on what's going on.
"Ploy, whether he knows it or not, trades a shower and a couch for a night served as a hundred and seventy pound faux-hawked alarm system."
I don't normally read dark stuff but I had been needing a change from the general fluff I read in romance and this definitely did the trick. While this does have romance in it (something I like), it didn't overpower the feel of Vial Things, which is a very dark and gruesome world. We go on resurrectionist jobs with Allie, we watch as she brings people back from the dead, we follow her and Ploy while they try to find a way to stop the people behind the attacks, and throughout it all we watch these two characters come closer and rely on each other. However, because the book is a dual POV story, we already know Ploy is in on what's going on. He has no idea the lengths to which is friend is willing to go but he holds out hope that his friend can be trusted. Meanwhile, he is confused on what to do with Allie. He starts to develop feelings for her and they have had each others backs the entire time, so he can't really justify bringing her in to his friend.
Allie was a great character. She's very strong and strong-willed. She doesn't cower or give up. When someone starts attacking her people and kills her aunt, she takes it upon herself to figure out who it is so that she can stop them. She has a lot of tough calls to make throughout the book and one of them is with Ploy, the boy who she feels like she can trust but all signs point to betrayal. I really enjoyed that Allie was a thinker. She didn't just react due to emotions, she plotted and planned. She wasn't some damsel who gets flustered when a problem arises. I really liked how strong she was and the fact that she was able to do what needed to be done when the time came.
"My parents had known from infancy that I carried the resurrectionist gene. Growing up, my free time had been spent on training, both in how to bring back the newly dead and how to protect myself from those after my blood."
The author did a really great job with this story. She created a world that sucked me in within a handful of pages and kept me glued to my seat until I finished. I've never read a book about a resurrectionist and I found Allie's character and her abilities fascinating. I loved that the author didn't shy away from the gore. I mean, this is a story about a girl who can bring people back from the dead. So, suffice to say you're going to get some dead bodies and some pretty gnarly scenes. There was always something going on and there was a layer of suspense throughout the entire book that had you on the edge of your seat. There were just so many elements to this book that I'm not sure if it's YA paranormal, YA suspense, YA thriller, or Dark YA. Either way it's a really good book.
Vial Things is a fast-paced, highly suspenseful thriller that will suck you into its pages. I was hooked right up until the last sentence. There's just so many facets to this novel that it was hard to not be completely drawn to the story. It kind of has a little bit of something for everyone.
Favorite quote...
"It's sick, but one of those not-so-clever sayings pops to mind. Friends help you move. Real friends help you move a body."
"Ploy, whether he knows it or not, trades a shower and a couch for a night served as a hundred and seventy pound faux-hawked alarm system."
I don't normally read dark stuff but I had been needing a change from the general fluff I read in romance and this definitely did the trick. While this does have romance in it (something I like), it didn't overpower the feel of Vial Things, which is a very dark and gruesome world. We go on resurrectionist jobs with Allie, we watch as she brings people back from the dead, we follow her and Ploy while they try to find a way to stop the people behind the attacks, and throughout it all we watch these two characters come closer and rely on each other. However, because the book is a dual POV story, we already know Ploy is in on what's going on. He has no idea the lengths to which is friend is willing to go but he holds out hope that his friend can be trusted. Meanwhile, he is confused on what to do with Allie. He starts to develop feelings for her and they have had each others backs the entire time, so he can't really justify bringing her in to his friend.
Allie was a great character. She's very strong and strong-willed. She doesn't cower or give up. When someone starts attacking her people and kills her aunt, she takes it upon herself to figure out who it is so that she can stop them. She has a lot of tough calls to make throughout the book and one of them is with Ploy, the boy who she feels like she can trust but all signs point to betrayal. I really enjoyed that Allie was a thinker. She didn't just react due to emotions, she plotted and planned. She wasn't some damsel who gets flustered when a problem arises. I really liked how strong she was and the fact that she was able to do what needed to be done when the time came.
"My parents had known from infancy that I carried the resurrectionist gene. Growing up, my free time had been spent on training, both in how to bring back the newly dead and how to protect myself from those after my blood."
The author did a really great job with this story. She created a world that sucked me in within a handful of pages and kept me glued to my seat until I finished. I've never read a book about a resurrectionist and I found Allie's character and her abilities fascinating. I loved that the author didn't shy away from the gore. I mean, this is a story about a girl who can bring people back from the dead. So, suffice to say you're going to get some dead bodies and some pretty gnarly scenes. There was always something going on and there was a layer of suspense throughout the entire book that had you on the edge of your seat. There were just so many elements to this book that I'm not sure if it's YA paranormal, YA suspense, YA thriller, or Dark YA. Either way it's a really good book.
Vial Things is a fast-paced, highly suspenseful thriller that will suck you into its pages. I was hooked right up until the last sentence. There's just so many facets to this novel that it was hard to not be completely drawn to the story. It kind of has a little bit of something for everyone.
Favorite quote...
"It's sick, but one of those not-so-clever sayings pops to mind. Friends help you move. Real friends help you move a body."
September 4, 2016
Oh my god
What?
I'm so happy your back Leah. So so so happy!!
This is the FIRST YA book I've read this year!
Can you believe that?
What is even better is that this was such a great way to break the 'YA dry spell' lol
I cannot wait for more!
I went in without reading much of the premise except for one or two snippets here and there and I'm so freaking glad I did.
Powerful blood, secrets, lies, love, friendship, and loyalty all make for such a great mix and story.
I loved Ploy so much. Love how much he struggled with taking every single step that he had to take in order to accomplish what he and his best friend wanted.
Also, Allie is exactly what I'd expect a female lead in a book by Leah Clifford, strong but reckless.
I am simply delighted with this book that to be honest had me bitting my nails from some of the yummy suspense thrown here and there and can I just say my freaking name is in it? As in... Wow. I started or well... A character named like me started this whole mess... Kinda but yeah but no? I had to take a knee before I hyperventilated myself to death.
Until next time I, as I said, cannot wait for whatever comes next because ready or not... I'll read that fudger :')
What?
I'm so happy your back Leah. So so so happy!!
This is the FIRST YA book I've read this year!
Can you believe that?
What is even better is that this was such a great way to break the 'YA dry spell' lol
I cannot wait for more!
I went in without reading much of the premise except for one or two snippets here and there and I'm so freaking glad I did.
Powerful blood, secrets, lies, love, friendship, and loyalty all make for such a great mix and story.
I loved Ploy so much. Love how much he struggled with taking every single step that he had to take in order to accomplish what he and his best friend wanted.
Also, Allie is exactly what I'd expect a female lead in a book by Leah Clifford, strong but reckless.
I am simply delighted with this book that to be honest had me bitting my nails from some of the yummy suspense thrown here and there and can I just say my freaking name is in it? As in... Wow. I started or well... A character named like me started this whole mess... Kinda but yeah but no? I had to take a knee before I hyperventilated myself to death.
Until next time I, as I said, cannot wait for whatever comes next because ready or not... I'll read that fudger :')
March 11, 2023
This was an interesting take on resurrectionists. The execution of this made it feel like a fast paced thriller which I was totally for, although some twists I did see coming.
July 17, 2017
Not all lies are ploys.
So true, and such a lie at the same time when reading Vial Things. Don't let the cover fool you. This is no horror read, but a brilliant genre-bend, an amalgam of many rolled in a clever and fast-paced YA read that isn't like any other.
Are ploys lies when you don't say it? What if no one asks? So many times it's easy to answer- but you aren't Abbie, and you aren't Ploy. Each not saying, each using, both knowing the other isn't saying and is using, all while real emotions build.
It's a recipe for complications, danger, and cool suspense in what amounts to a genre blend of sci fi/ fantasy/ paranormal/ suspense/ magical realism all inside of the older YA arena. Which kinda makes it perfect.
Clifford writes beautiful prose in a darker world, giving life to two damaged people worth holding onto. You want to keep them with you, so they can live again... and again.
So true, and such a lie at the same time when reading Vial Things. Don't let the cover fool you. This is no horror read, but a brilliant genre-bend, an amalgam of many rolled in a clever and fast-paced YA read that isn't like any other.
Are ploys lies when you don't say it? What if no one asks? So many times it's easy to answer- but you aren't Abbie, and you aren't Ploy. Each not saying, each using, both knowing the other isn't saying and is using, all while real emotions build.
It's a recipe for complications, danger, and cool suspense in what amounts to a genre blend of sci fi/ fantasy/ paranormal/ suspense/ magical realism all inside of the older YA arena. Which kinda makes it perfect.
Clifford writes beautiful prose in a darker world, giving life to two damaged people worth holding onto. You want to keep them with you, so they can live again... and again.
November 24, 2017
A creepy Good tale.
Something Only the Authors wonderful imagination could write. Its story line as unique as the characters. It's definitely creepy, its abit morbid..gross maybe? But you'll want to read it all.every single word of it..before you can finally put it down.
Something Only the Authors wonderful imagination could write. Its story line as unique as the characters. It's definitely creepy, its abit morbid..gross maybe? But you'll want to read it all.every single word of it..before you can finally put it down.
October 10, 2021
je volgt Allie een jonge meid wiens bloed mensen kan helpen genezen of weer laten leven als ze net gestorven zijn. iets wat zeldzaam is en waar een gigantisch prijskaartje aan hangt maar iets wat haar in gevaar zal brengen als de verkeerde mensen erachter komen. ook volg je Ployd een jonge man die op de straat leeft en wiens beste vriend net op wrede manier vermoord is. Allie laat hem bij haar op de bank slapen maar dan redt ze zijn leven een beslissing die allebei hun levens verandert. ze hebben allebei hun geheimen maar durven ze die aan de ander te vertellen? en kunnen ze elkaar wel vertrouwen? spannend en gedeeltelijk voorspelbaar maar ook origineel. erg genoten van dit boek en ben erg benieuwd naar het vervolg hiervan.
March 3, 2021
Three months after listening to this audiobook all I can tell you is that I don't remember what happened at the end. But I do remember wanting to listen to the second book?
I like this genre of fantasy/sci-fi but as I think back on it, I wish there has been more of that and less of the, well, character and plot. 😂
I like this genre of fantasy/sci-fi but as I think back on it, I wish there has been more of that and less of the, well, character and plot. 😂
October 23, 2022
Loved It!
I saw this book on TikTok and had to immediately buy it. A few hours later, I was done reading. I simply couldn’t put it down!
This story moved fairly quickly with lots of ups and downs and twists along the way. Some of them I saw coming and others took me surprising. I will definitely be continuing this series.
I saw this book on TikTok and had to immediately buy it. A few hours later, I was done reading. I simply couldn’t put it down!
This story moved fairly quickly with lots of ups and downs and twists along the way. Some of them I saw coming and others took me surprising. I will definitely be continuing this series.
November 4, 2021
This heroine is the definition of TSTL for most of the book. Interesting premise, but it is a little too wrapped up in pointless drama about the obvious two-dimensional villain right in front of her face that she can't see. For all that, I'll still look for the sequel.
May 14, 2017
Surprisingly good.
October 20, 2017
Great read!
Very interesting concept. Kept me wanting more and I still would like to know what happens. The concept of people who could resurrect the dead was very interesting.
Very interesting concept. Kept me wanting more and I still would like to know what happens. The concept of people who could resurrect the dead was very interesting.
November 2, 2016
One of the few Prime books I've really enjoyed.
August 7, 2022
Not all lies are ploys.
Is it a lie when you don't say it? What if no one asks? So many times it's easy to answer- but you aren't Abbie, and you aren't Ploy. Each not saying, each using, both knowing the other isn't saying and is using, all while real emotions build.
It's a recipe for complications, danger, and cool suspense in what amounts to a genre blend of sci fi/ fantasy/ paranormal/ suspense/ magical realism all inside of the older YA arena. Which kinda makes it perfect.
Clifford writes beautiful prose in a darker world, giving life to two damaged people worth holding onto. You want to keep them with you, so they can live again... and again.
Is it a lie when you don't say it? What if no one asks? So many times it's easy to answer- but you aren't Abbie, and you aren't Ploy. Each not saying, each using, both knowing the other isn't saying and is using, all while real emotions build.
It's a recipe for complications, danger, and cool suspense in what amounts to a genre blend of sci fi/ fantasy/ paranormal/ suspense/ magical realism all inside of the older YA arena. Which kinda makes it perfect.
Clifford writes beautiful prose in a darker world, giving life to two damaged people worth holding onto. You want to keep them with you, so they can live again... and again.
July 20, 2019
This is quite a refreshing read from the usual teenager urban fantasy stories where the character is completely obnoxious and makes insanely stupid decision for no logical reason.
Set in a world where a small group of humans are born with a genetic mutation that allows them to heal wounds absurdly fast (including many kinds of life threatening injuries and even survive death), this small community of resurrectionists dedicate their lives towards charging hefty fees for bringing the recently deceased back to life. Their society is disperse with a middleman that handles the money and legitimacy of each gig along with a cleaning system that kills humans that harm their people in order to obtain the secret to their fountain of life for personal profit.
Allie knows all too well the bad aspects of the life she was born into. After having her parents murdered at the hands of a former client that couldn't pay the bills, she briefly lives with her aunt Sarah that is the middleman in charge of her working area and learns the management aspects of the profession. Tired of the perils of this life, she decided to move into a modest apartment and frequents homeless communities where she befriends two teenage guys: Brandon and Ploy.
When Brandon is brutally murdered for his blood, she turns to the mysterious but friendly Ploy that sometimes sleeps on her couch for his help without knowing he has a dark secret as well that haunts him incessantly during the novel.
Filled with believable and interesting characters, Allie is distrustful but yearns for love, Ploy is brave but at the same time self-loathing because he doesn't stand up to himself and the villain Jamison is a terrifying yet convincing psychopath that manipulates everyone around him for his ulterior goal. If there is one flaw of the novel, I am sort of confused as to where Jamison and Allie grew up. Allie comments her parents used to live in Ohio whereas it seems like Jamison grew up in the outskirts of Fissure's Peak. If you read the book, you'll agree with me that it's a bit confusing.
Otherwise, it's an exciting and refreshing thriller/dark fantasy read with tints of believable romance and interesting characters. Highly recommended!
Set in a world where a small group of humans are born with a genetic mutation that allows them to heal wounds absurdly fast (including many kinds of life threatening injuries and even survive death), this small community of resurrectionists dedicate their lives towards charging hefty fees for bringing the recently deceased back to life. Their society is disperse with a middleman that handles the money and legitimacy of each gig along with a cleaning system that kills humans that harm their people in order to obtain the secret to their fountain of life for personal profit.
Allie knows all too well the bad aspects of the life she was born into. After having her parents murdered at the hands of a former client that couldn't pay the bills, she briefly lives with her aunt Sarah that is the middleman in charge of her working area and learns the management aspects of the profession. Tired of the perils of this life, she decided to move into a modest apartment and frequents homeless communities where she befriends two teenage guys: Brandon and Ploy.
When Brandon is brutally murdered for his blood, she turns to the mysterious but friendly Ploy that sometimes sleeps on her couch for his help without knowing he has a dark secret as well that haunts him incessantly during the novel.
Filled with believable and interesting characters, Allie is distrustful but yearns for love, Ploy is brave but at the same time self-loathing because he doesn't stand up to himself and the villain Jamison is a terrifying yet convincing psychopath that manipulates everyone around him for his ulterior goal. If there is one flaw of the novel, I am sort of confused as to where Jamison and Allie grew up. Allie comments her parents used to live in Ohio whereas it seems like Jamison grew up in the outskirts of Fissure's Peak. If you read the book, you'll agree with me that it's a bit confusing.
Otherwise, it's an exciting and refreshing thriller/dark fantasy read with tints of believable romance and interesting characters. Highly recommended!
August 9, 2016
Fantastic read full of suspense and nail biting action!
Vial Things is one of those stories that unravels itself in little segments, however rushes like a flooded river at the same time. The anticipation is REAL as you put together the clues to Allie's secret life and torment.
Allie is always staying under the radar, looking over her shoulder while she tries to stay absent from the "family business." With her special genetic blood, she can heal herself, and bring others back from the dead with some restrictions. She has been trained from an early age to protect herself, because there are those out there who would LOVE to get their hands on the blood. Soooo, a secret group is formed to keep things in order, and to keep her and a slim few protected.
Allie doesn't trust people...at all...and has learned to keep her wall up. She meets Ploy, a street boy who she lets sleep on the couch for the only purpose to use him for protection.....BUT....she will be surprised to learn that Ploy is using her also. When Allie is forced to help Ploy out of guilt, her life will change drastically as they both start running from danger that is at EVERY turn. Trying to keep her feelings at bay, Allie starts to fall for Ploy even though she knows she will regret it.
I this book so much....it has EVERYTHING that I want to lose myself in.
Creative story
Strong Characters
Emotion
Action/Suspense
Twists
A true escape from reality
The words disappeared as I read this story, and I found the building of this story with anticipation and mystery completely brilliant. Loss, friendship, betrayal, love, cruelty, hate....so many emotions will seep from your core like you are living the story yourself. Allie and Ploy...*sigh* Ploy may have a different agenda, but his need to protect Allie is just....*sigh* You will root for him even though there maybe times you don't like him.
LOVED this book...YOU need to read it...devour it...consume all of its creative juices!
Vial Things is one of those stories that unravels itself in little segments, however rushes like a flooded river at the same time. The anticipation is REAL as you put together the clues to Allie's secret life and torment.
Allie is always staying under the radar, looking over her shoulder while she tries to stay absent from the "family business." With her special genetic blood, she can heal herself, and bring others back from the dead with some restrictions. She has been trained from an early age to protect herself, because there are those out there who would LOVE to get their hands on the blood. Soooo, a secret group is formed to keep things in order, and to keep her and a slim few protected.
Allie doesn't trust people...at all...and has learned to keep her wall up. She meets Ploy, a street boy who she lets sleep on the couch for the only purpose to use him for protection.....BUT....she will be surprised to learn that Ploy is using her also. When Allie is forced to help Ploy out of guilt, her life will change drastically as they both start running from danger that is at EVERY turn. Trying to keep her feelings at bay, Allie starts to fall for Ploy even though she knows she will regret it.
I this book so much....it has EVERYTHING that I want to lose myself in.
Creative story
Strong Characters
Emotion
Action/Suspense
Twists
A true escape from reality
The words disappeared as I read this story, and I found the building of this story with anticipation and mystery completely brilliant. Loss, friendship, betrayal, love, cruelty, hate....so many emotions will seep from your core like you are living the story yourself. Allie and Ploy...*sigh* Ploy may have a different agenda, but his need to protect Allie is just....*sigh* You will root for him even though there maybe times you don't like him.
LOVED this book...YOU need to read it...devour it...consume all of its creative juices!
June 2, 2023
*4.5-5 Stars
This book is told in first pov, alternating between two different characters, Allie and Ploy.
Allie is a resurrectionist due to a rare genetic condition that allows her to bring back the dead. However, she is reluctant to go into the family business, since charging for their services is what got her parents killed.
Allie lives a lonely existence, never letting herself get too close to anyone. The only people in her life that really know her is her best friend Thalia and her Aunt Sarah, the only family she has left.
Ploy is a street kid with a dark secret and a traumatic past who becomes friends with Allie.
Despite all of the pain Allie has lived through, she is strong, smart and empathetic.
This book is definitely a hidden gem. The concept is unique and fascinating. It's fast paced, dark, compelling and hard to put down. I was definitely on the edge of my seat a lot. There's A lot of action, twists I didn't predict and no slow or boring parts. There is a little bit of a romance developing between the two main characters but it definitely isn't the focus.
I really enjoyed reading this and recommend it to anyone who enjoys dark themes and morally grey characters. If you liked this, check out "Not Even Bones" by Rebecca Schaeffer.
This book is told in first pov, alternating between two different characters, Allie and Ploy.
Allie is a resurrectionist due to a rare genetic condition that allows her to bring back the dead. However, she is reluctant to go into the family business, since charging for their services is what got her parents killed.
Allie lives a lonely existence, never letting herself get too close to anyone. The only people in her life that really know her is her best friend Thalia and her Aunt Sarah, the only family she has left.
Ploy is a street kid with a dark secret and a traumatic past who becomes friends with Allie.
Despite all of the pain Allie has lived through, she is strong, smart and empathetic.
This book is definitely a hidden gem. The concept is unique and fascinating. It's fast paced, dark, compelling and hard to put down. I was definitely on the edge of my seat a lot. There's A lot of action, twists I didn't predict and no slow or boring parts. There is a little bit of a romance developing between the two main characters but it definitely isn't the focus.
I really enjoyed reading this and recommend it to anyone who enjoys dark themes and morally grey characters. If you liked this, check out "Not Even Bones" by Rebecca Schaeffer.
July 20, 2017
I truly enjoyed this book as it kept my interest peaked throughout the entirety of the text. Some of the twists were expected. However, the book intertwines an adequate amount of suspense and action to keep you guessing what will happen, when the characters will reveal they know secrets and repercussions of actions. Other reviewers have indicated they found the descriptions of characters drawing blood somewhat lurid but it didn't bother me at all (I read psychological thrillers often so I'm used to gore). Anyways, great book. Well worth the read!
December 4, 2016
What an incredible and unique story. It hooked me from the very first sentence. Leah Clifford is such an amazing author and her stories always amaze me. I cannot wait for the sequel. Love, love, love this so much!
November 14, 2016
4.25 stars.
October 12, 2017
What a cool premise!!! I enjoyed not only the story but the writing as well! Def recommend!
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