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Blue Skin #1
Blue Skin Book One
What will you do when they come for your children?
The world has turned inward, away from the sun, in the wake of a mysterious disease that has altered the human race. No longer able to bear healthy human children, our mothers and daughters have brought vampire-like hybrids into the world, and with it a new order. Now that reproduction has been banned, those left with young children face a terrible and devastating decision - turn your babies over to the government or pay the price. For young Freya, keeping her brother hidden is the only real option.
Enemies of the state, Freya must stand between her family and the forces of a fearful world. Although her brother may not be human, there is little else separating her and those of the blue skin.
Choices will be made. Lines will be drawn. The battle for humanity has only just begun.
BLUE SKIN is the first book in a 5 part vampire dystopian, thriller horror series.
211 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 16, 2017
About the author
Steven Jenkins
36 books196 followersBorn in the small Welsh town of Llanelli, Steven began writing stories at the age of eight. His inspiration came from his love for ‘80s horror movies, and novels by Stephen King and the late Richard Matheson.
During Steven’s teenage years, as well as being a black-belt kickboxer, he became a great lover of writing dark and twisted poems – six of which gained him publications with Poetry Now, Brownstone Books, and Strong Words.
Over the next few years, and after becoming a father and a husband, Steven's passion drove him towards writing short stories, gaining him further publication with Dark Moon Digest: an American horror magazine. His terrifying tales of the afterlife and zombies gained him positive reviews, particularly his story, Burning Ambition, which also came runner up in a Five-stop-story contest.
Finally, in 2013, after years of hard work (and countless rejection letters), Steven got his debut novel, Fourteen Days, published by Barking Rain Press.
During Steven’s teenage years, as well as being a black-belt kickboxer, he became a great lover of writing dark and twisted poems – six of which gained him publications with Poetry Now, Brownstone Books, and Strong Words.
Over the next few years, and after becoming a father and a husband, Steven's passion drove him towards writing short stories, gaining him further publication with Dark Moon Digest: an American horror magazine. His terrifying tales of the afterlife and zombies gained him positive reviews, particularly his story, Burning Ambition, which also came runner up in a Five-stop-story contest.
Finally, in 2013, after years of hard work (and countless rejection letters), Steven got his debut novel, Fourteen Days, published by Barking Rain Press.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
December 27, 2020
This was an awesomely riveting start to a new series with an entirely different take on the vampire genre.
March 12, 2026
Blue Skin is a unique take on vampires. Vampires are not being made the old fashioned way, but are being born to women across the globe after an 8 week gestation period. Not only are these babies little blood suckers, they are also born with blue skin, which remains as they get older which seems to happen in a rapid amount of time. Freya Lawson is a teenager whose mom happens to give birth to a blue skinned vampire, therefore ending Freya's social life as she once knew it. Hiding her brother from the outside world and the authorities turns into a full time job.
I like that the chapters are short, the action is pretty cool, and the suspense of what will happen next is constantly there. Normally I like to know how these things happen, but that information has not been revealed yet, which is ok considering how short the books are. I'm sure this information will be revealed in the later books which I am defiantly going to be reading.
I like that the chapters are short, the action is pretty cool, and the suspense of what will happen next is constantly there. Normally I like to know how these things happen, but that information has not been revealed yet, which is ok considering how short the books are. I'm sure this information will be revealed in the later books which I am defiantly going to be reading.
June 19, 2018
A really interesting new take on a vampire story. Couldn’t put it down and have gone straight on to buy the second book so I can continue the story :o)
September 12, 2018
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 (you can thank the crap fest I've read over the past weeks for the mark up!)
Now that was fun! A short, very British (English? Welsh? I don't know how it all works) story but fun! Seriously folks, it does not take that much to create a unique vampire/zombie/monster story and this one did just that! I cannot tell you how refreshing it is to not only deal with very good characterizations but also a unique set-up that makes me look forward to the next in the series!
Maybe I've just had a bad luck run of really pathetic first in in a (pick a number)ology story start-ups, but this is NOT the case with Blue Skin! An interesting premise, situations that I could relate to and an exciting ending that makes me want to grab Book 2 before I log off! That's what I needed, that's what I got! Too short but breathless fun.
Will 'Blue Skin' one day put in the same museum as the great works of Stephen King or Justin Cronin? Well, probably not, but then again, if it makes it worth the time you spend going through it, then who cares! All kidding aside: this book had an amazing sort of 'In The Flesh' vibe, noting that the mini-series still sends chills up and down my spine even today!
I enjoyed the hell of this, thank you Steven Jenkins! If only you offered more of your collection on Google Play (especially your zombie series) and wouldn't force us all to make Amazon all that richer every day.... yes, that's a negative, you read it here first.
Now that was fun! A short, very British (English? Welsh? I don't know how it all works) story but fun! Seriously folks, it does not take that much to create a unique vampire/zombie/monster story and this one did just that! I cannot tell you how refreshing it is to not only deal with very good characterizations but also a unique set-up that makes me look forward to the next in the series!
Maybe I've just had a bad luck run of really pathetic first in in a (pick a number)ology story start-ups, but this is NOT the case with Blue Skin! An interesting premise, situations that I could relate to and an exciting ending that makes me want to grab Book 2 before I log off! That's what I needed, that's what I got! Too short but breathless fun.
Will 'Blue Skin' one day put in the same museum as the great works of Stephen King or Justin Cronin? Well, probably not, but then again, if it makes it worth the time you spend going through it, then who cares! All kidding aside: this book had an amazing sort of 'In The Flesh' vibe, noting that the mini-series still sends chills up and down my spine even today!
I enjoyed the hell of this, thank you Steven Jenkins! If only you offered more of your collection on Google Play (especially your zombie series) and wouldn't force us all to make Amazon all that richer every day.... yes, that's a negative, you read it here first.
January 4, 2019
To start off I am a huge paranormal fan and the book cover of a child with blue skin and a Vampire I was instantly drawn. I read this book in one day and I could barely put it down. Imagine a regular high school girl with friends, a boyfriend, all the normal insecurities of a teenager with the added problems of her home life....mom and drunk step dad....then the unimaginable happens!! Good read! Unexpected twists!
September 6, 2018
Ooh I really enjoyed this book and the follow-up, Blue Skin: Book #2 that was released this past May. Good vampire stories are really hard to come by these days since the genre was drowned in vamp tales due to the Twilight phenomenon.
Blue Skin however, is an interesting mix of vampire and the apocalypse. The fact that the vampires are children make it especially horrifying.
Great writing, a unique plot and a strong female protagonist makes this book appealing to all sorts of readers. I'm looking forward to reading more in this series!
Rating... A+
Blue Skin however, is an interesting mix of vampire and the apocalypse. The fact that the vampires are children make it especially horrifying.
Great writing, a unique plot and a strong female protagonist makes this book appealing to all sorts of readers. I'm looking forward to reading more in this series!
Rating... A+
December 7, 2018
A virus is spreading fast through the human race. Babies are being born with blue skin, the sun burns them, they don’t drink milk like normal babies no they drink blood and they grow really fast. The government has put a ban on reproduction and anyone who gives birth to a blue skin vampire baby must turn it over to the government or pay the price.
Seventeen year old Freya learns that her mother is pregnant again. With all the miscarriages her mother has had Freya assumes that this pregnancy will be no different. Freya’s mother reveals that she is four weeks pregnant imagine Freya’s surprise when her mother gives birth at only eight weeks into the pregnancy.
When the baby comes out all blue and feeding off his mother Freya wants to call 911 but her mother want let her. This starts Freya down a long road of taking care of her brother and keeping him hidden from the world.
Blue Skin is a new take on vampires one in which I enjoyed tremendously and can’t wait to dive into the next book in the series. Where did the virus come from? How is it spread? I love vampires and dystopian worlds so imagine my excitement when I found Blue Skin with a combination of the two. I could wait to sink my teeth into it.
Blue Skin is a nice little introduction into the world of the blue vampires. It has suspense, mystery, blood, gore and a world that may be headed into an apocalypse.
I highly recommend Blue Skin to all fans of dystopian, vampires with a touch of suspense.
Seventeen year old Freya learns that her mother is pregnant again. With all the miscarriages her mother has had Freya assumes that this pregnancy will be no different. Freya’s mother reveals that she is four weeks pregnant imagine Freya’s surprise when her mother gives birth at only eight weeks into the pregnancy.
When the baby comes out all blue and feeding off his mother Freya wants to call 911 but her mother want let her. This starts Freya down a long road of taking care of her brother and keeping him hidden from the world.
Blue Skin is a new take on vampires one in which I enjoyed tremendously and can’t wait to dive into the next book in the series. Where did the virus come from? How is it spread? I love vampires and dystopian worlds so imagine my excitement when I found Blue Skin with a combination of the two. I could wait to sink my teeth into it.
Blue Skin is a nice little introduction into the world of the blue vampires. It has suspense, mystery, blood, gore and a world that may be headed into an apocalypse.
I highly recommend Blue Skin to all fans of dystopian, vampires with a touch of suspense.
April 25, 2020
This book grabs the reader from chapter 1 and I was all for it. I definitely recommend it as a read. The story is also told from three different povs, but it didn't take me long to catch on. This book ended the only way it could, Team Sean, all the way. For half the book I was scared he was going to die, and I was ready to riot or demote stars. Whichever. Blue Skin failed to capture my interest because he showed very little humanity. His lackluster warming up to Sean, someone not related to him, did little to convince me that he deserved a chance among the human race.
It's easy to be sympathetic to the Blue Skin characters if you're his mom or sister. But if you're just neighbor #5 i.e Sean, shoot them all lol.
It's easy to be sympathetic to the Blue Skin characters if you're his mom or sister. But if you're just neighbor #5 i.e Sean, shoot them all lol.
September 11, 2019
Blue Skin is an interesting book written by Steven Jenkins. This author came up with a unique take on vampires which I always welcome. Let's face it, vampires are one of the paranormals who are very often written about and are in many movies, so it can be rather difficult to come up with something different and unique and this author did just that and more importantly he did it well.
The plot of this book is well thought through and nicely developed. The pace is just right, never dragging out nor is the author ever rushing you through the story. There are some nice twists in this story that work very well.
Freya is an interesting main character who made a transformation in this book. She wasn't really on board with her brother at first but in the end protected him at all costs really. It is interesting how this all went down and I am curious to see what will happen next. I am not really sure how the opening prologue fits in with the story though so hopefully book 2 will kind of explain that, but I know it somehow had to do with her family.
The plot of this book is well thought through and nicely developed. The pace is just right, never dragging out nor is the author ever rushing you through the story. There are some nice twists in this story that work very well.
Freya is an interesting main character who made a transformation in this book. She wasn't really on board with her brother at first but in the end protected him at all costs really. It is interesting how this all went down and I am curious to see what will happen next. I am not really sure how the opening prologue fits in with the story though so hopefully book 2 will kind of explain that, but I know it somehow had to do with her family.
May 18, 2018
This is my first read by Steven Jenkins and definitely won't be the last. If horror is your genre of choice, or even if this is your first time reading something like this, if you love a GREAT story, this is the book for you. This book is definitely written in a different style than I've come to expect, which makes it even more captivating. The beginning, is the end, then goes back to the beginning to completely make you want to read this book in one sitting, that's how good it is. Fast paced, which is also great, you don't want to put it down, because you just want to get to the REST of the story! No spoilers in this review, if you want action, hear throbbing scariness, vampires, a completely different twist on having a baby/family life (hybrids), this book is completely a must read, and will have you on the edge of your seat waiting to see how it all turns out and anxious for the next book!
July 24, 2018
A mysterious disease is encroaching on the human race, creating new vampiric hybrids. With a ban on reproduction, anyone giving birth to the new blue-skinned babies must hand over their offspring to the Government – or face dire consequences. For Freya, keeping her brother hidden is the only real option.
Billed as ‘A Vampire Dystopian Thriller’, this is the first book in the Blue Skin series and introduces us to a world where the only babies born are a mysterious breed of vampires. The premise is one I’ve seen before, though the idea is handled well and I liked the characters, especially the relationship between Freya and Sean. The cliff-hanger type ending isn’t my favourite tactic, as it forces the reader to read the next book to find out what happens – however, it’s good story and will appeal to lovers of modern-day vampires and the likely scenarios if the powers-that-be should ever have to face such a phenomenon.
Billed as ‘A Vampire Dystopian Thriller’, this is the first book in the Blue Skin series and introduces us to a world where the only babies born are a mysterious breed of vampires. The premise is one I’ve seen before, though the idea is handled well and I liked the characters, especially the relationship between Freya and Sean. The cliff-hanger type ending isn’t my favourite tactic, as it forces the reader to read the next book to find out what happens – however, it’s good story and will appeal to lovers of modern-day vampires and the likely scenarios if the powers-that-be should ever have to face such a phenomenon.
May 1, 2018
Steven Jenkins is a new author for me to read - and boy did I love this first book of the Blue Skin series!!!
This book starts out different than any other book that I have read. The first chapter is really a preview of the last chapter -- and then he spins the clock back 9 months and you get the details that lead up to that last chapter (that you have already read). When Freya's mother announces to the family that she is pregnant, the family is excited. Especially since she and her new boyfriend have been trying and having problems with miscarriages. But this isn't any normal pregnancy -- only lasting a matter of weeks vs a normal 9 months. I don't write spoilers -- so I will stop by saying, you really need to read this book to find out exactly what happens!!!
I can hardly wait for Book Two to come out and to find out what happens next!!!
This book starts out different than any other book that I have read. The first chapter is really a preview of the last chapter -- and then he spins the clock back 9 months and you get the details that lead up to that last chapter (that you have already read). When Freya's mother announces to the family that she is pregnant, the family is excited. Especially since she and her new boyfriend have been trying and having problems with miscarriages. But this isn't any normal pregnancy -- only lasting a matter of weeks vs a normal 9 months. I don't write spoilers -- so I will stop by saying, you really need to read this book to find out exactly what happens!!!
I can hardly wait for Book Two to come out and to find out what happens next!!!
June 28, 2018
Intriguing Story!
Freya is a 17 year old who has several things going on in her life. One in particular is her mother is 8 weeks pregnant and she is giving birth! The baby comes and he has blue skin, yellow eyes, and fangs. He seems to be growing at a rapid rate.
There is an epidemic spreading around of vampire-like half breeds being born that the government ended up banning women to reproduce. If there are any of these children being hidden and aren't brought to the government, they will have to suffer the consequences.
Freya has to make a decision to help her brother or to turn him over to the HCA.
I really liked this book. It gave you different perspectives of Sean (Freya's friend) and Freya herself. The book kept me interested the whole time and I couldn't stop reading it. I really liked how the book ended. I wasn't expecting the way things turned out.
Freya is a 17 year old who has several things going on in her life. One in particular is her mother is 8 weeks pregnant and she is giving birth! The baby comes and he has blue skin, yellow eyes, and fangs. He seems to be growing at a rapid rate.
There is an epidemic spreading around of vampire-like half breeds being born that the government ended up banning women to reproduce. If there are any of these children being hidden and aren't brought to the government, they will have to suffer the consequences.
Freya has to make a decision to help her brother or to turn him over to the HCA.
I really liked this book. It gave you different perspectives of Sean (Freya's friend) and Freya herself. The book kept me interested the whole time and I couldn't stop reading it. I really liked how the book ended. I wasn't expecting the way things turned out.
April 9, 2019
Welsh author Steven Jenkins continues to deliver high-octane supernatural thrillers in a homey, family-style setting with characters that could be your family. Or your next door neighbors.
I've been a fan of Jenkins since his Burning the Dead series, an original take on a zombie epidemic as seen through the eyes of the bloke pushing the bodies into the incinerator. Here, we have a typical, dysfunctional family with an unexpected new arrival - a perfectly formed, blue-skinned baby with an abnormal growth rate and a need for blood. The avalanche of events that subsumes this typical family is breathtaking to read, and I'm eager to start the next book in the series....
Kudos to the author!
I've been a fan of Jenkins since his Burning the Dead series, an original take on a zombie epidemic as seen through the eyes of the bloke pushing the bodies into the incinerator. Here, we have a typical, dysfunctional family with an unexpected new arrival - a perfectly formed, blue-skinned baby with an abnormal growth rate and a need for blood. The avalanche of events that subsumes this typical family is breathtaking to read, and I'm eager to start the next book in the series....
Kudos to the author!
April 3, 2026
A Little Empty
This book, while not a total waste of time, nevertheless offers little in the way of satisfying horror; much of it deals with the ordinary lives of everyday people who scrape by in their working class lives, to be put upon by a vampire “outbreak”. Little explanation is given for how this occurred, thus the emptiness referred to in the title above. While it is the beginning of a series, there should still be enough “meat” to the book to provide the reader with something more compelling. Instead it becomes ordinary, something an author never wants from their own works.
This book, while not a total waste of time, nevertheless offers little in the way of satisfying horror; much of it deals with the ordinary lives of everyday people who scrape by in their working class lives, to be put upon by a vampire “outbreak”. Little explanation is given for how this occurred, thus the emptiness referred to in the title above. While it is the beginning of a series, there should still be enough “meat” to the book to provide the reader with something more compelling. Instead it becomes ordinary, something an author never wants from their own works.
April 25, 2018
This book really intrigued me when I read what it was about!
To start off I did find it a little bit boring and slow but then wow it starts to hit you kinda all at once. From following Freyas fractured relationship with her mum to becoming the strength of the family and bringing it all together. To being afraid of what she has to face to stepping up and doing what she needs to do!
After a slow start to a fast paced story this book I justcouldnt put down. If you like not only vampire stories but dystopian stories this one's for you.
To start off I did find it a little bit boring and slow but then wow it starts to hit you kinda all at once. From following Freyas fractured relationship with her mum to becoming the strength of the family and bringing it all together. To being afraid of what she has to face to stepping up and doing what she needs to do!
After a slow start to a fast paced story this book I justcouldnt put down. If you like not only vampire stories but dystopian stories this one's for you.
May 1, 2018
Vampires are not nice people
This book makes other vampire books look like pets. The story narrates through the individual stories of several people. The vampires are not only blue, but hunt and kill in such a way that has the reader on the edge of the seat with a racing heart.
This book will speak to anyone fed up with traditional vampire stories. A great read, I can't wait for the next one.
This book makes other vampire books look like pets. The story narrates through the individual stories of several people. The vampires are not only blue, but hunt and kill in such a way that has the reader on the edge of the seat with a racing heart.
This book will speak to anyone fed up with traditional vampire stories. A great read, I can't wait for the next one.
January 21, 2019
Not your standard vampire story
A bit confused why she protects the "brother" she despises and is afraid of. When he shows the wild creature side and brutally kills someone most would be fearful of the same thing being done to them. At the start the heroine was unlikable, self centered, shallow and annoying. Glad some of her biggest character flaws were realized and changed. Different premise and not a nice one!
A bit confused why she protects the "brother" she despises and is afraid of. When he shows the wild creature side and brutally kills someone most would be fearful of the same thing being done to them. At the start the heroine was unlikable, self centered, shallow and annoying. Glad some of her biggest character flaws were realized and changed. Different premise and not a nice one!
March 11, 2019
The whole world is infected with a mutated 'zika'-virus that causes baby's to be born as blue skinned, blooddrinking vampires with yellow eyes and fangs.
An enjoyable entertaining read that makes you want to read the rest of the tale but the story leaves multiple questions unanswered: why this virus breaks out, who are the purebreeds and where do they come from, what happens with the vanmpire-children taken away by the government??? As it is 'to be continued', hopefully we learn the answers in the following books.
An enjoyable entertaining read that makes you want to read the rest of the tale but the story leaves multiple questions unanswered: why this virus breaks out, who are the purebreeds and where do they come from, what happens with the vanmpire-children taken away by the government??? As it is 'to be continued', hopefully we learn the answers in the following books.
July 1, 2019
I love books by this author, for horror fiction they are very thought provoking and leave you thinking ‘what would I do in this situation’. The book follows a family’s horrific ordeal, dealing with a new child with terrifying differences, and a civilisation literally disintegrating around them. Definitely the most original take on a vampire story that I’ve ever read. I’ve already read book two and just going on to three. Great reading
February 16, 2022
Read :February 16, 2022
Rating :3 Stars
This was a cool idea but ultimately it felt like there was just something lacking.
The premise is good but then it sort of bogs down and pretty much goes nowhere and my attention kept drifting.
The characters feel pretty flimsy and without any real emotional connections to others, even Freya, our mc comes across as rather emotionless.
I won't continue with the series.
Rating :3 Stars
This was a cool idea but ultimately it felt like there was just something lacking.
The premise is good but then it sort of bogs down and pretty much goes nowhere and my attention kept drifting.
The characters feel pretty flimsy and without any real emotional connections to others, even Freya, our mc comes across as rather emotionless.
I won't continue with the series.
March 31, 2018
It's extremely rare that I find myself this engaged in a vampire story as they are all basically the same sort of storyline. Not this book! This book was fresh, exciting and kept me guessing throughout the entire book. So many surprises, twists and turns. This book could easily be made into a film series. Fantastic work!
April 3, 2018
I have to say that this is one of the best vampire novels I have read in a long time. It's not pure fantasy. It's not pure horror. It's not shocking. It's a different take on a very old story. The characters developed throughout the story where I actually felt for them. I'm impressed and I am a fan!
June 30, 2018
It's started off great at the bringing. It did nosedive was little slow and filled with boring teen drama. It didn't start getting real good around 50% into the book after that it was great read. It was bite confusing on why and how humans giving birth to this new breed. I give the book 4.5 rating.
January 2, 2019
Not what I expected...thank goodness.
To start off, vampires are not my favorite reading subjects. I was intrigued by the cover of the book. Happily, this didn't have all the craziness that I assume goes on in books about vampires...until the end. The rest was just a good story, crazy but good. In fact is was good enough to get me to try book 2.
To start off, vampires are not my favorite reading subjects. I was intrigued by the cover of the book. Happily, this didn't have all the craziness that I assume goes on in books about vampires...until the end. The rest was just a good story, crazy but good. In fact is was good enough to get me to try book 2.
October 12, 2019
Interesting story, worth a read
This is a very different kind of vampire story, seems inspired by the zombie apocalypse genre.
The first page gives a glimpse of the future then the story starts from the beginning.
Quite a frustrating beginning, kept wanting to yell at the main character to grow up but it got interesting from half way through. Worth a read
This is a very different kind of vampire story, seems inspired by the zombie apocalypse genre.
The first page gives a glimpse of the future then the story starts from the beginning.
Quite a frustrating beginning, kept wanting to yell at the main character to grow up but it got interesting from half way through. Worth a read
December 1, 2019
4.5 stars, rounded up
I generally don't care for modern vampire stories, but this one was pretty good. Probably because it was so different from what I'd expected. Wasn't your typical "sexy" vampire tale, and there wasn't even a lot of blood-sucking. These were definite pluses. It was enjoyable, ended too soon for me, so on to read the next in series.
I generally don't care for modern vampire stories, but this one was pretty good. Probably because it was so different from what I'd expected. Wasn't your typical "sexy" vampire tale, and there wasn't even a lot of blood-sucking. These were definite pluses. It was enjoyable, ended too soon for me, so on to read the next in series.
April 13, 2018
Wow
This story was very exciting. It has lots of action and scary moments. The characters were really well done too. It is hard to know how to feel about these vampires just because it is not their fault. However they are still dangerous. I can't wait to read more of this story.
This story was very exciting. It has lots of action and scary moments. The characters were really well done too. It is hard to know how to feel about these vampires just because it is not their fault. However they are still dangerous. I can't wait to read more of this story.
May 6, 2018
An eye opening take on vampires. This is a good read with well developed characters & a few mysteries. Although, Freya starts off reluctantly helping her mom with her brother, she ends up protecting him too. This ends with a cliffhanger & I’m looking forward to reading it too.
May 24, 2018
Super afternoon read
I downloaded this because I am from the same Welsh town as Steven Jenkins. It was a quick read.But full of action. The characters were well written and I am sure they will become stronger with the sequel
I downloaded this because I am from the same Welsh town as Steven Jenkins. It was a quick read.But full of action. The characters were well written and I am sure they will become stronger with the sequel
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews