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On Blood Road: A Vietnam War Novel
The last place on earth Taylor Sorenson wants to be is in Saigon in the middle of the Vietnam War. His mom dragged him here to visit his dad, who's stationed at the US embassy, and Taylor is bored out of his skull. One night, during an embassy dinner, he decides to sneak out to see the Tet celebrations in the city. But before he makes it very far, fighting erupts across all of South Vietnam--and Taylor is captured by the North Vietnamese Army.
Realizing he could be an important bargaining chip, the NVA decides to move Taylor to the north. The only way there is the Ho Chi Ming Trail, a series of dangerous paths that snake from South Vietnam through Laos and Cambodia before finally reaching North Vietnam. But thousands have died on the trail, and Taylor doesn't know what's waiting for him at the end.
What follows is a harrowing journey during one of the most controversial wars in US history, where one boy is forced to confront the true cost of war, and what it really means to survive.
Realizing he could be an important bargaining chip, the NVA decides to move Taylor to the north. The only way there is the Ho Chi Ming Trail, a series of dangerous paths that snake from South Vietnam through Laos and Cambodia before finally reaching North Vietnam. But thousands have died on the trail, and Taylor doesn't know what's waiting for him at the end.
What follows is a harrowing journey during one of the most controversial wars in US history, where one boy is forced to confront the true cost of war, and what it really means to survive.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published October 30, 2018
57 people are currently reading
417 people want to read
About the author
Steve Watkins
65 books78 followersSteve Watkins is the author of the young adult novels Stolen by Night, On Blood Road, Juvie, What Comes After, and Great Falls, as well as the middle-grade novels Down Sand Mountain, Sink or Swim, and the Ghosts of War series, including The Secret of Midway, Lost at Khe Sanh, AWOL in North Africa, and Fallen in Fredericksburg.
A former professor of journalism, creative writing, and Vietnam War literature, Steve is the cofounder and editor of Pie & Chai, a monthly magazine that you can find and read online at pieandchaimagazine.com.
A former professor of journalism, creative writing, and Vietnam War literature, Steve is the cofounder and editor of Pie & Chai, a monthly magazine that you can find and read online at pieandchaimagazine.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
December 29, 2018
Maybe closer to 4.5 actual rating. I read this to vet it for my 10 yr old and I think I'll make her wait another year before reading. Lots of sad things, because it is about the Vietnam War. Some of the descriptions are a bit more graphic than I would like for a 10 yr old, but it is about war and even Scholastic recommends 12 for a minimum age. No swears or sex or anything, but descriptions of war atrocities (though usually not overly graphic). Adults fine. Teens fine. Sensitive 10 yr olds, no. Still it was a read that kept me interested, even though I feel it wrapped up a bit quickly.
February 28, 2020
On Blood Road is a book written by Steve Wilkins. It takes place during the Vietnam War. The main character’s name is Taylor Sorenson. Taylor is a 17 year old guy from New York who likes to party. He also likes to sneak out in the middle of the night to go to the club with his friends. As a punishment, his Mom sends him to a base in Vietnam, where his Dad is stationed for the war. This punishment doesn’t really work because he ends up sneaking out again anyway to celebrate “Tet”. Tet is the lunar new year for Vietnam. He gets captured by Vietnamese soldiers. They realize that Taylor’s dad is an American soldier, so they put him on the Ho Chi Mingh Trail. They put him on the trail because they want him to work and they want to torture him for answers. The Ho Chi Mingh Trail is called Blood Road because of how many people have died on it. The book is about Taylor’s journey on Blood Road. His goal is to get spotted by Americans and be back with his parents.
On Blood Road is a great book. The author, Steve Wilkins, gives some important insights about the war. The book is in first person, so it really makes you feel like you were where he was all times. An example of this is when a bomb was exploding. It talked about how it looked like it was raining sparks. Some scenes about people getting shot might be a little too descriptive. That is why I only recommend it to young adult readers and above. But these scenes can be thrilling if you really want that first person experience. In my opinion, this novel is a great read if you want to learn about life on the Ho Chi Mingh Trail or if you like action packed books about war.
On Blood Road is a great book. The author, Steve Wilkins, gives some important insights about the war. The book is in first person, so it really makes you feel like you were where he was all times. An example of this is when a bomb was exploding. It talked about how it looked like it was raining sparks. Some scenes about people getting shot might be a little too descriptive. That is why I only recommend it to young adult readers and above. But these scenes can be thrilling if you really want that first person experience. In my opinion, this novel is a great read if you want to learn about life on the Ho Chi Mingh Trail or if you like action packed books about war.
September 1, 2020
amazing book about the struggles of a boy in vietnam
August 18, 2024
Copy provided by the publisher
Taylor Sorenson is a typical rebellious teen of 1968, sneaking out of his posh apartment to hang out with friends in the Village and generally irritating his mother. When she decides to go visit his father, who works with the government and is stationed in South Vietnam where he has a major but undisclosed role in the war operations, he isn't pleased that he has to be away from his friends, but decides to make the most of his travels by sneaking away from the embassy to go to a Tet (New Year's) celebration at Bunny Bunny Go Go. Unfortunately, he is intercepted by military police, who tell him the party goers would just rob him blind, so he's better off at home. Even more unfortunately, gunfire erupts, the MPs are killed, and Taylor is held hostage by the North Vietnamese Army. He makes friends with an older man named TJ, who helps him survive initially, but who doesn't last long. Taylor eventually ends up in the care of Phuong, Trang, and Vu, who brutally march him across the countryside. Luckily, both Phuong and Taylor speak French (not unlikely in the 1960s) and are able to communicate. Phuong is fairly nice, although Trang and Vu are not, and after Taylor saves Phuong from drowning, Phuong treats him a bit better, although she is very dedicated to the reunification of Vietnam. Even though it may have cost her her entire family, Phuong believes in this mission and wants to get Taylor to the Hanoi Hilton so his presence can be used as leverage against his father. Crossing a war-torn, defoliated country side is dangerous, and Taylor and Phuong barely survive by eating snakes and other creatures they can find, often becoming violently ill. As they approach their destination, will Taylor's father's connections be able to rescue Taylor before it's too late?
Strengths: Like this author's Sink or Swim, this has a lot of good details about the gruesome fighting, devastation caused by bombing and chemical weapons, and techniques for torturing prisoners. Not details I want to read, but my readers who like books about war definitely do. I appreciate it when these details are offset by discussion of deeper philosophical ones about how to treat others (Taylor saves Phuong because, in part, it's the right thing to do. Plus, his other captors are meaner!) and the cruelty of war in general. This had a nice balance, and the structure of it will make it appeal to readers of outdoor survival adventures as well.
Weaknesses: This is petty, but a boy named Taylor is 1968 just about made me put the book down. No! He would have likely been Jim, Mike, Bob or Bill. The rest of the historical details seemed fine, but that tiny bit made me want to doubt them! More seriously, it was hard to get a good handle on Phuong's and Taylor's views of the war and how they changed, because so much was going on. That's okay-- the target demographic doesn't care so much about Taylor's relationship with his father and their differing views of the war, but I would have been interested.
What I really think: We have enough books about World War II. Really. Vietnam and Korea, and especially Desert Storm and Afghanistan need more books. The cover of this is fantastic, and I'm super glad to have a copy, since the best thing I have other than Chris Lynch's Vietnam series is Gail Graham's 1972 Cross-Fire: A Vietnam Novel (Pantheon Books).
Taylor Sorenson is a typical rebellious teen of 1968, sneaking out of his posh apartment to hang out with friends in the Village and generally irritating his mother. When she decides to go visit his father, who works with the government and is stationed in South Vietnam where he has a major but undisclosed role in the war operations, he isn't pleased that he has to be away from his friends, but decides to make the most of his travels by sneaking away from the embassy to go to a Tet (New Year's) celebration at Bunny Bunny Go Go. Unfortunately, he is intercepted by military police, who tell him the party goers would just rob him blind, so he's better off at home. Even more unfortunately, gunfire erupts, the MPs are killed, and Taylor is held hostage by the North Vietnamese Army. He makes friends with an older man named TJ, who helps him survive initially, but who doesn't last long. Taylor eventually ends up in the care of Phuong, Trang, and Vu, who brutally march him across the countryside. Luckily, both Phuong and Taylor speak French (not unlikely in the 1960s) and are able to communicate. Phuong is fairly nice, although Trang and Vu are not, and after Taylor saves Phuong from drowning, Phuong treats him a bit better, although she is very dedicated to the reunification of Vietnam. Even though it may have cost her her entire family, Phuong believes in this mission and wants to get Taylor to the Hanoi Hilton so his presence can be used as leverage against his father. Crossing a war-torn, defoliated country side is dangerous, and Taylor and Phuong barely survive by eating snakes and other creatures they can find, often becoming violently ill. As they approach their destination, will Taylor's father's connections be able to rescue Taylor before it's too late?
Strengths: Like this author's Sink or Swim, this has a lot of good details about the gruesome fighting, devastation caused by bombing and chemical weapons, and techniques for torturing prisoners. Not details I want to read, but my readers who like books about war definitely do. I appreciate it when these details are offset by discussion of deeper philosophical ones about how to treat others (Taylor saves Phuong because, in part, it's the right thing to do. Plus, his other captors are meaner!) and the cruelty of war in general. This had a nice balance, and the structure of it will make it appeal to readers of outdoor survival adventures as well.
Weaknesses: This is petty, but a boy named Taylor is 1968 just about made me put the book down. No! He would have likely been Jim, Mike, Bob or Bill. The rest of the historical details seemed fine, but that tiny bit made me want to doubt them! More seriously, it was hard to get a good handle on Phuong's and Taylor's views of the war and how they changed, because so much was going on. That's okay-- the target demographic doesn't care so much about Taylor's relationship with his father and their differing views of the war, but I would have been interested.
What I really think: We have enough books about World War II. Really. Vietnam and Korea, and especially Desert Storm and Afghanistan need more books. The cover of this is fantastic, and I'm super glad to have a copy, since the best thing I have other than Chris Lynch's Vietnam series is Gail Graham's 1972 Cross-Fire: A Vietnam Novel (Pantheon Books).
May 16, 2025
What would you do if you were in a foreign country, thrust into the middle of a fatal war, struggling to survive? On Blood Road by Steve Watkins is a gripping historical fiction novel on the Vietnam War, and it is the story of an American soldier named Jack. Having been parted from his unit Jack will need to travel through tough going and combat enemy soldiers and adverse ground. Along the way he has unexpected friends and must deal with the harsh realities of war. I read this book because I wanted to immerse myself in the personal life of war victims particularly from a soldier's life and observe the physical as well as mental impact of war.
I was struck by On Blood Road as an intense and emotionally powerful novel that captivated me on the first page. Characters, particularly Jack, were multifaceted, and I was pleased with the author's facility for releasing the internal struggle of a young man in combat. The action was electrifying with alternating flashes of high excitement countered by introspective moments set in peaceful settings where deep emotional exploration was possible. One of the better things about this book was the pacing sufficiently rapid to keep your attention yet sufficiently profound to create a true connection with the characters. Historical accuracy and specificity helped to further make the tale more realistic and believable, and made it successful. What I gained from this book was the multidimensionality of survival during war, and that human connection and individual courage are attainable even in the most adverse conditions. I would recommend readers who enjoy historical fiction and are interested in the Vietnam War and survival novels to read this book. The target market would include young adults and adults who enjoy emotional, character-driven novels of survival, war, and history.
I was struck by On Blood Road as an intense and emotionally powerful novel that captivated me on the first page. Characters, particularly Jack, were multifaceted, and I was pleased with the author's facility for releasing the internal struggle of a young man in combat. The action was electrifying with alternating flashes of high excitement countered by introspective moments set in peaceful settings where deep emotional exploration was possible. One of the better things about this book was the pacing sufficiently rapid to keep your attention yet sufficiently profound to create a true connection with the characters. Historical accuracy and specificity helped to further make the tale more realistic and believable, and made it successful. What I gained from this book was the multidimensionality of survival during war, and that human connection and individual courage are attainable even in the most adverse conditions. I would recommend readers who enjoy historical fiction and are interested in the Vietnam War and survival novels to read this book. The target market would include young adults and adults who enjoy emotional, character-driven novels of survival, war, and history.
March 11, 2022
I wasn't sure at first about this book. But in the end, it turned out to be very interesting. I will say I feel like it's a little much for younger readers (13 and younger). There is a lot of violence and dealings of war.
Taylor turned out to be a very courageous young man. The things he saw and went through opened his eyes in so many ways. I'm glad it didn't make him weak.
Rating: PG-13 war, violence
Langauge: clean read
Recommend: yes
Taylor turned out to be a very courageous young man. The things he saw and went through opened his eyes in so many ways. I'm glad it didn't make him weak.
Rating: PG-13 war, violence
Langauge: clean read
Recommend: yes
January 11, 2023
there was a lot of parts where i think the main character could have just escaped and he didnt also hes kind of annoying and stupid but its still really good
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2021
Exceptional book.
April 24, 2019
Taylor Sorenson was a normal teenager attending an elite private school in New York until his mother dragged him to Saigon, Vietnam to see his father: the Special Attaché to the US Embassy. Despite his initial plan to enjoy the city, a small act of rebellion quickly accumulated into one of the most life changing days of young Taylor’s life. When attempting to visit a local night club, the boy is captured by Viet Cong soldiers who transport him and many other prisoners to a remote location. After their arrival, some of the soldiers realize who Taylor is and with this revelation decide to transport him along the infamous Ho Ching Ming Trail where Taylor first handedly witnesses the grimness of the Vietnam War.
If you are looking for a captivating historical fiction book, this is the book for you. I was enthralled by this book and even read it in one sitting! Overall, I would highly recommend this book for ages 14 to 18 because at points the imagery can be veering on the edge of grotesque. Despite this, I absolutely loved the novel, and really enjoyed both the plot line and characters!
Grace P., Age 17, Mensa 76
If you are looking for a captivating historical fiction book, this is the book for you. I was enthralled by this book and even read it in one sitting! Overall, I would highly recommend this book for ages 14 to 18 because at points the imagery can be veering on the edge of grotesque. Despite this, I absolutely loved the novel, and really enjoyed both the plot line and characters!
Grace P., Age 17, Mensa 76
December 16, 2019
Kept waiting for it to get better, but it never happened. Maybe this is why it was $2
at the book fair.
at the book fair.
February 19, 2019
Sixteen-year-old Taylor Sorenson has flown to Saigon, Vietnam, with his mother who wants his father to take him to task for his recent behavior. Although he's a junior at the prestigious Dalton School, he hasn't been taking his academics seriously and has sneaked out of the family's apartment to hit the clubs in New York City with his friend Geoff. His behavior doesn't improve while he's in Vietnam, and he ends up being kidnapped by members of the North Vietnamese Army after leaving the U.S. Embassy to check out a go-go club. Things go from bad to worse, and he is taken underground into tunnels, through the jungle, and along the Ho Chi Minh Trail as part of a plan to reveal a possible traitor. Taylor is the prisoner of Phuong, Vu, and Trang, all ardent supporters of Ho Chi Minh and the NVA. He escapes death more than once even while contending with hunger, pesky insects, deadly foliage, and bombs that haven't been detonated. During the weeks, the group is on the march through Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, he also watches as Vu and Trang are killed. As Taylor becomes increasingly aware of what is in store for him once the group meets its destination in the Hanoi Hilton, he also has his eyes opened to the wages of war as he witnesses many scenes of destruction caused by the Americans and possibly planned by his father who is rumored to be affiliated with the CIA. The author doesn't stint on his descriptions of the death and mayhem that Taylor sees, and he is careful to provide background on the war and the determination the North Vietnamese had to never give up as described through the eyes of Phuong. Somehow, incredibly, Taylor survives and returns to the United States, but he will never be the same again. I don't know practical his plans are to find the bombs that haven't exploded, but at least he has a life purpose, and will never return to being that selfish, self-absorbed, privileged teen he once was. I would have liked to have a little bit more information on his parents, especially his father, and I'm not sure I buy the ending of his journey to the north part of the country with Phuong possibly giving him information that would allow him to escape. Nevertheless, this book is filled with many passages that demonstrate vividly the price of war on many levels while tracing one boy's consciousness raising. I almost had to put the book down at several points because of the violence and deaths being described. Those who supported the war in Vietnam might find this novel eye-opening. And those who have loved ones who have fought in a war might find the book enlightening on what it's like to return home. Even though Taylor was not a soldier, he still has lost parts of himself, literally and figuratively, while in Vietnam.
January 16, 2020
Taylor is a bit of a rebellious teen. He just wants to have fun, while his mom is all stiff and his dad is off in Vietnam doing his military thing. His Mom unexpectedly yanks him from school and hauls him to the other side of the world to visit his Dad in Saigon for his Dad's birthday. The party is a bore, so Taylor decides he'll sneak out and find himself some fun. But he quickly finds himself kidnapped by North Vietnamese soldiers and hauled off into the jungle. The North Vietnamese know who his dad is, after trying to get information out of him with no results, they send him up north on the Ho Chi Minh Trail with 3 soldiers. Will Taylor survive the ordeal, or is he going to die in the jungles of Southeast Asia because he made a stupid choice one night?
Talk about scared straight! Taylor goes from sneaking out, partying, stealing just for kicks, to getting a firsthand view of the harsh realities of war, the fragility of life, and a lesson to not take anything for granted. Watkins does a pretty good job of painting fair pictures of both sides of the Vietnam War conflict. Taylor's Dad gets to explain why he thinks the war is necessary, and Taylor's North Vietnamese trail guards/guides explain why they are fighting. Watkins also doesn't pull any punches in painting a picture of how horrible war is for the land, people where the fighting is happening, native animals, etc. This doesn't glorify war as some war stories try to do. It is sobering and harsh. Which makes it an important read for teens who like to play war video games or who could care less when a war is mentioned in the news. It is also a much more gripping read than any textbook account of the Vietnam War. I learned several things about the conflict and people involved I hadn't known before, even though this is fiction. (There's a good note in the back about what is true and what's made up.) Hand this to teens who like reading war stories, are curious about the Vietnam War, or like survival stories.
Notes on content: I don't remember any swearing, though there may have been some in the beginning. Nothing beyond some kissing on page. Taylor mentions wishing he stayed to "mess around" with a teen girl at the embassy, and a person mentions a road where there are prostitutes (though they call them B girls) but nothing happens. There's a LOT of death and gore. Accurate depictions of fatal wounds from bombs, bullets, machetes, animal attacks, etc. Taylor's first stop with the Vietnamese he is put to work transporting various bodies and body parts for burial. The gore/death count alone would earn this an R rating if turned into a movie. But it is also a huge part of what helps Taylor sober up and reevaluate his life and what's important and realize that war is awful.
Talk about scared straight! Taylor goes from sneaking out, partying, stealing just for kicks, to getting a firsthand view of the harsh realities of war, the fragility of life, and a lesson to not take anything for granted. Watkins does a pretty good job of painting fair pictures of both sides of the Vietnam War conflict. Taylor's Dad gets to explain why he thinks the war is necessary, and Taylor's North Vietnamese trail guards/guides explain why they are fighting. Watkins also doesn't pull any punches in painting a picture of how horrible war is for the land, people where the fighting is happening, native animals, etc. This doesn't glorify war as some war stories try to do. It is sobering and harsh. Which makes it an important read for teens who like to play war video games or who could care less when a war is mentioned in the news. It is also a much more gripping read than any textbook account of the Vietnam War. I learned several things about the conflict and people involved I hadn't known before, even though this is fiction. (There's a good note in the back about what is true and what's made up.) Hand this to teens who like reading war stories, are curious about the Vietnam War, or like survival stories.
Notes on content: I don't remember any swearing, though there may have been some in the beginning. Nothing beyond some kissing on page. Taylor mentions wishing he stayed to "mess around" with a teen girl at the embassy, and a person mentions a road where there are prostitutes (though they call them B girls) but nothing happens. There's a LOT of death and gore. Accurate depictions of fatal wounds from bombs, bullets, machetes, animal attacks, etc. Taylor's first stop with the Vietnamese he is put to work transporting various bodies and body parts for burial. The gore/death count alone would earn this an R rating if turned into a movie. But it is also a huge part of what helps Taylor sober up and reevaluate his life and what's important and realize that war is awful.
February 20, 2021
4.5 stars
Wow. This is a heavy book. I knew it was going to be heavier, it being about a POW in the Vietnam, but since this is a young adult book, I wasn't sure about the content. It does keep the language clean, but it also doesn't shy away from the horrors of war. This book never glorifies the graphicness of the violence, but keeps the detail fairly minimal while still giving a clear picture of what's happening.
Reading this book made me realize that I really know nothing about the Vietnam War. It does lean on the side of North Vietnam being more in the right, as many reasons good reasons are given for why the North Vietnamese are fighting while the South Vietnamese don't seem to have a reason (other than the US's selfish interests), but this has only made me want to look into the war all the more. So, this book does a good job at explaining the North's side, as well as showing the terrible price of war--regardless of side, of who is in the right.
While it's hard to call a heavy book like this enjoyable, I had a hard time putting it down, as Taylor spends most of the book as a POW--where he could literally die at any second. Granted, I knew he was probably going to survive until at least the end, this book being his journey, but plenty of terrible things could and did happen to him, leaving me constantly tense.
I liked Taylor's mental/emotional journey, and the ending was a good place for him, giving everything that had happened. Not to say the ending felt super satisfying, but considering the war it's based on, it makes sense.
Overall, this is a fairly quick but heavy read, and it makes me want to go learn more about the Vietnam War. The story keeps your interest, and does not shy away from the horrors of war.
Wow. This is a heavy book. I knew it was going to be heavier, it being about a POW in the Vietnam, but since this is a young adult book, I wasn't sure about the content. It does keep the language clean, but it also doesn't shy away from the horrors of war. This book never glorifies the graphicness of the violence, but keeps the detail fairly minimal while still giving a clear picture of what's happening.
Reading this book made me realize that I really know nothing about the Vietnam War. It does lean on the side of North Vietnam being more in the right, as many reasons good reasons are given for why the North Vietnamese are fighting while the South Vietnamese don't seem to have a reason (other than the US's selfish interests), but this has only made me want to look into the war all the more. So, this book does a good job at explaining the North's side, as well as showing the terrible price of war--regardless of side, of who is in the right.
While it's hard to call a heavy book like this enjoyable, I had a hard time putting it down, as Taylor spends most of the book as a POW--where he could literally die at any second. Granted, I knew he was probably going to survive until at least the end, this book being his journey, but plenty of terrible things could and did happen to him, leaving me constantly tense.
I liked Taylor's mental/emotional journey, and the ending was a good place for him, giving everything that had happened. Not to say the ending felt super satisfying, but considering the war it's based on, it makes sense.
Overall, this is a fairly quick but heavy read, and it makes me want to go learn more about the Vietnam War. The story keeps your interest, and does not shy away from the horrors of war.
November 22, 2022
In the most difficult times in a person's life is where they learn and grow the most. This book gives a thrilling story that does just that. As Taylor’s story of surviving Blood Road unfolds in this book he learned all the lessons he failed to be taught.
Every scene in this book adds to the suspense and the thrill of the journey Taylor undergoes for each mistake he makes he was punished. Every choice he made had a consequence. To survive he would have to learn from those mistakes and consequences. I could almost feel the struggle and pain Taylor would go through.
Many losses of life would happen in this book whether it was characters or animals it all added to the hostile environment of war. Keeping me on my toes the whole time. When each event would happen. It all adds to Taylor's journey. But let's just say love can start in any place at any time, Steve Watkins depicts this well as characters make connections throughout the story.
You can almost smell, taste, hear, see, and feel the war and hostile environment. Steve Watkins depicts well on how resources are very scarce in Vietnam, and adds to the tension in the story. It is also important to note this book is highly accurate historically, facing problems in Vietnam and political issues in that point of time.
Relationships outside of the war for Taylor are complicated such as his parents, friends and “lovers”. He learns who means the most to him and how he could have done things differently and if he makes it out of this mess he would do anything to fix it. I had no clue how this story would end throughout the entire book. And the ending added so much suspense it was killing me to find out the ending. I would rate this book a 4.8 out of 5.
Every scene in this book adds to the suspense and the thrill of the journey Taylor undergoes for each mistake he makes he was punished. Every choice he made had a consequence. To survive he would have to learn from those mistakes and consequences. I could almost feel the struggle and pain Taylor would go through.
Many losses of life would happen in this book whether it was characters or animals it all added to the hostile environment of war. Keeping me on my toes the whole time. When each event would happen. It all adds to Taylor's journey. But let's just say love can start in any place at any time, Steve Watkins depicts this well as characters make connections throughout the story.
You can almost smell, taste, hear, see, and feel the war and hostile environment. Steve Watkins depicts well on how resources are very scarce in Vietnam, and adds to the tension in the story. It is also important to note this book is highly accurate historically, facing problems in Vietnam and political issues in that point of time.
Relationships outside of the war for Taylor are complicated such as his parents, friends and “lovers”. He learns who means the most to him and how he could have done things differently and if he makes it out of this mess he would do anything to fix it. I had no clue how this story would end throughout the entire book. And the ending added so much suspense it was killing me to find out the ending. I would rate this book a 4.8 out of 5.
June 21, 2019
Adult rating: 4 stars
Kid rating: 4 stars
Taylor is a bit of a wild teen mostly interested in having fun with his best friend. His mom is frustrated and his dad is absent, working at the American embassy in Vietnam. His mom decides they need a break and decide to visit his dad for his birthday. It's days before the Vietnamese New Year, called Tet. Taylor sneaks out on the very night, the North Vietnamese plan a multi-city attack. He is captured by the North Vietnamese and led up the Ho Chi Minh trail by a female solider named Phuong. They are able to communicate in French since Taylor grew up in France and Vietnam was once a French colony. They develop an amicable relationship amidst the chaos. Taylor sees things he never could have imagined. People blown apart. The aftermath of Agent Orange. Tortured American prisoners. A vicious bear attack. He will survive, but not without scars. Both physical and mental.
This is an intense book. No one can fully understand what went on in that war if they weren't there. I really like the way the author chose to bring the devastation of Vietnam to the reader via a boy caught in the crossfire by mistake. He's not a soldier. He hasn't even cared much about the war. After what he goes through he realizes how spoiled and ungrateful he has been compared to the suffering of others. I liked some of the discussions he has with Phuong, especially when she says the Americans will never win the war, because no matter how many they send over to die, North Vietnam with always send one more.
Kid rating: 4 stars
Taylor is a bit of a wild teen mostly interested in having fun with his best friend. His mom is frustrated and his dad is absent, working at the American embassy in Vietnam. His mom decides they need a break and decide to visit his dad for his birthday. It's days before the Vietnamese New Year, called Tet. Taylor sneaks out on the very night, the North Vietnamese plan a multi-city attack. He is captured by the North Vietnamese and led up the Ho Chi Minh trail by a female solider named Phuong. They are able to communicate in French since Taylor grew up in France and Vietnam was once a French colony. They develop an amicable relationship amidst the chaos. Taylor sees things he never could have imagined. People blown apart. The aftermath of Agent Orange. Tortured American prisoners. A vicious bear attack. He will survive, but not without scars. Both physical and mental.
This is an intense book. No one can fully understand what went on in that war if they weren't there. I really like the way the author chose to bring the devastation of Vietnam to the reader via a boy caught in the crossfire by mistake. He's not a soldier. He hasn't even cared much about the war. After what he goes through he realizes how spoiled and ungrateful he has been compared to the suffering of others. I liked some of the discussions he has with Phuong, especially when she says the Americans will never win the war, because no matter how many they send over to die, North Vietnam with always send one more.
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November 6, 2019The novel On Blood Road by Steve Watkins is a Vietnam war novel which brings the reader through the reality of war. The protagonist is a wealthy teenager named Taylor who gets caught sneaking out at the beginning of the story. His mom does not respond well to this and she sends him to the United States Embassy in South Vietnam to live with his father who was stationed there. This punishment was not very effective as Taylor sneaks out again to watch a celebration in the city which went bad. Fighting broke out and the North Vietnamese army captured Taylor. The North Viatnamese army realizes that they could use Taylor as leverage and decided to move him to North Vietnam. The only way there is called the Ho Chi Ming Trail which is a chain of risky paths many have died on. Throughout Taylor’s travels, the reader can slowly watch as he turns from an immature young boy to a man who makes smart decisions and can fend for himself. I enjoyed this book for its action packed storyline along with its grim nature. The quote “I can’t push him off, but it doesn’t matter because the pain, delayed by the shock, now sears my leg, my whole body, and all I can do is scream and scream and scream, only I’m not the only one screaming. Everybody is screaming.” exemplifies the dark tone of the book which serves to make it more interesting as the plot develops. I would recommend this book to any highschooler because it is very chaotic which is a common preference and they would be able to relate to Taylor more because they are in the same age group.
August 19, 2020
Taylor Sorenson, is a 17 year old boy who thinks he can get away with sneaking out at night. Most of the time he can, until his mom takes him to South Vietnam to celebrate his dad's 50th birthday. During Tet, the Vietnamese New Year, Taylor sneaks out to walk around, but two military police officers tell him that it probably isn't safe for him. After finding a girl he is interested in, fighting erupts all throughout the country. The two MPs are killed right in front of Taylor's eyes. He then is held hostage by the NVA and gets shoved into a truck with a few other people. In the truck, there is another American, named TJ. TJ helps Taylor survive the first couple of days being a hostage, but then TJ tries to escape and gets shot and killed. After having to do hours of carrying dead bodies and limbs to an underground hospital, Phuong, Trang, and Vu, three NVA soldiers, march Taylor down the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Taylor knows that thousands of people have died on that trail, so he is scared out of his mind. Fortunately, both Phuong and Taylor speak French, which means that they can communicate. Even though Phuong is nicer than Trang and Vu, after Taylor saves Phuong from drowning, Phuong treats Taylor better. They have to eat snakes, buffalo, and other animals in order to survive the dangerous trail. By the end of the book, Phuong and Taylor become really close. I would recommend this book for kids aged 12+ for violence. I really liked this book because it brings to life the true cost of war, especially the Vietnam War.
June 12, 2021
Taylor is basically an entitled brat, determined to be a bad boy, living in NYC with his mother, who cares more about appearances than what's really going on with her son. Mom takes him out of school to go to Vietnam for Dad's 50th birthday. He is at the American Embassy there as an attache. He assures them it is safe, but it turns out to be anything but. Taylor barely makes it home with his life. He sneaks out one night, to check out the club scene. He is kidnapped by the Viet Cong. When they realize who he is, they decide to keep him alive to use. He is on a forced march up the Ho Chi Minh Trail, the Reunification Trail, Blood Road. He is forced to carry injured and dead NVA (North Vietnam Army) soldiers, bury body parts. He is tortured for information until he is delirious. He sees captors who are escorting him blow up when they step on bomblets. He is starving, exhausted, almost naked. His captors are not in much better shape as they make their way along the almost invisible trail. He ends up sort of becoming friends with the girl who is leading their march. He actually saves her life a couple times. She also saves his life. There is no doubt, however, if he tries to escape, she will shoot him with her AK-47. He barely escapes this nightmare with his life. He will never again be whole. He will never again be the entitled brat he once was.
March 25, 2022
On Blood Road by Steve Watkins is a historical fiction/ war story. The main character is a young boy, Taylor, he is about 17. He lives in New York with his mom, his dad isnt home very often and when he is he and Taylor bump heads. Taylors mom caught him trying to sneak back in one night after going out when his mother told him not to. Somehow he ended up in Vietnam with his mom to visit his dad for his birthday. Being a troublemaker wasn't something he only did at home, back in New York. He snuck out while in Vietnam and got himself into a world of trouble and now he doesn't know if he will ever see his parents again or real home again. He was captured by the enemy.
I really enjoyed reading this book because you never knew what was going to happen next. Normally when reading books I am very good at guessing what is going to happen next but with this book I had no idea what was going to happen. This book would be good for you if you want an element of surprise because it definitely will keep you guessing. If you don't like gruesome books then this is certainly not for you because some parts are very detailed with the gour. I give this book a 5 out of 5 because all around it was a really good book and kept me interested.
I really enjoyed reading this book because you never knew what was going to happen next. Normally when reading books I am very good at guessing what is going to happen next but with this book I had no idea what was going to happen. This book would be good for you if you want an element of surprise because it definitely will keep you guessing. If you don't like gruesome books then this is certainly not for you because some parts are very detailed with the gour. I give this book a 5 out of 5 because all around it was a really good book and kept me interested.
June 12, 2020
On Blood Road is a book about Taylor Sorenson. A reckless, 17 year old boy, that is about to witness what really happens in the Vietnam War. With his friend Geoffrey, they run around New York late at night. Taylor’s mom decides that Taylor and her should visit his dad in Vietnam. One night he ventures off into the night and ends up being captured and struggles through a lot of challenges. He ends up having to travel a very long journey to get to a special place where he is imprisoned.
On Blood Road is a very interesting book. Steve Watkins really makes the story come to life. I could picture everything that was happening. Every time I read it It almost feels like I am Taylor and I can feel, see, hear, and smell everything he does.
On Blood Road is an intense and thrilling novel. I recommend this exciting novel to anyone who loves intense and thrilling books. Also, If you like becoming a part of the story and lives of the characters, and to anyone one who has an interest in the Vietnam War.
On Blood Road is a very interesting book. Steve Watkins really makes the story come to life. I could picture everything that was happening. Every time I read it It almost feels like I am Taylor and I can feel, see, hear, and smell everything he does.
On Blood Road is an intense and thrilling novel. I recommend this exciting novel to anyone who loves intense and thrilling books. Also, If you like becoming a part of the story and lives of the characters, and to anyone one who has an interest in the Vietnam War.
September 14, 2020
Initial: I got this book in a grab bag.
Never heard of it before.
Not sure what to think of it.
Set during the Vietnam War
Historical fiction, don't read a lot from this genre.
Pro's: I like how the chapters are set up.
It's easy to read and understand.
The perspective was very interesting to read from.
The author did a good job with the translation of French to English.
Con's: not my favorite historical fiction, but I didn't dislike it.
There was a lot of repetitive action and I thought it slowed the pace a bit.
Notes: visible character growth or change.
Author doesn't sugar coat anything.
For me it was a hard hitting read.
I kind of want a continuation where Taylor goes back and reunites with Phoung.
Post: this was an interesting read for sure. I liked it and it was very hard hitting. I do kind of want a story of Taylor and Phoung when they are reunited, if they are reunited. The author really did his research and it shows. It was well done.
Never heard of it before.
Not sure what to think of it.
Set during the Vietnam War
Historical fiction, don't read a lot from this genre.
Pro's: I like how the chapters are set up.
It's easy to read and understand.
The perspective was very interesting to read from.
The author did a good job with the translation of French to English.
Con's: not my favorite historical fiction, but I didn't dislike it.
There was a lot of repetitive action and I thought it slowed the pace a bit.
Notes: visible character growth or change.
Author doesn't sugar coat anything.
For me it was a hard hitting read.
I kind of want a continuation where Taylor goes back and reunites with Phoung.
Post: this was an interesting read for sure. I liked it and it was very hard hitting. I do kind of want a story of Taylor and Phoung when they are reunited, if they are reunited. The author really did his research and it shows. It was well done.
November 2, 2021
The book On Blood Road is a realistic fiction novel by Steve Watkins. On Blood Road is a book about a boy named Taylor and how he has to travel from South to North Vietnam. When Taylor gets taken out of school by his mother because he is failing all of his classes, he decides to take a trip to Vietnam to visit his dad at his heavily guarded military villa. But when he gets curious and decides to sneak out, war suddenly breaks out in South Vietnam. If taken Taylor could be a good bargaining chip and could give the North Vietnam leverage on the South. So Taylor has to move North heading through the Ho Chi Minh Trail, which is a series of very dangerous paths hoping to make it through safely and survive. I would rate this book a 5 out of 5 because of its action and suspense.
If you like the book Sink Or Swim by Steve Watkins, then you may also like the book On Blood Road as well. Additionally, if you like books about war.
If you like the book Sink Or Swim by Steve Watkins, then you may also like the book On Blood Road as well. Additionally, if you like books about war.
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January 17, 2020Over the break, I read On Blood Road by Steve Watkins and I liked it. I decided to read this book over the break because I am usually into action books or mystery books and I like wanted to know more about what happened in Vietnam. In this book something that I wanted to see and expected was gore and not much compassion because this is war there won’t be many people willing to help out, but I was also expecting the tiny bits of wins and hope. Ways I think On Blood Road could’ve been better was if the guy wasn’t always being a hero, I didn’t like how this guy became this kid who cared about himself and now is saving the people who are trying to take him to a prison; and I don’t get why he didn’t ever try to escape. People who should read this are people who like action, sadness, and Want to know what had happened in vietman.
August 21, 2022
Roughly 2.5/5
I can absolutely appreciate the message and thought that went into this book. And I’m glad to see a self publishing author seemingly do well for himself. I just think this book could’ve had more drafts. I think characters could’ve been more fleshed out. I also think that there are places where descriptions of the environment would help my immersion.
I will say this: the book gets significantly better by the end. Phuong and Taylor’s relationship is pretty believable, in my opinion. There aren’t too many things that feel forced. I also feel that the message was good and thoughtfully portrayed, and that the descriptions of the horrors of war were very well-done and even powerful at times.
There are good things about this, but it needed more work and time. Otherwise, good job.
I can absolutely appreciate the message and thought that went into this book. And I’m glad to see a self publishing author seemingly do well for himself. I just think this book could’ve had more drafts. I think characters could’ve been more fleshed out. I also think that there are places where descriptions of the environment would help my immersion.
I will say this: the book gets significantly better by the end. Phuong and Taylor’s relationship is pretty believable, in my opinion. There aren’t too many things that feel forced. I also feel that the message was good and thoughtfully portrayed, and that the descriptions of the horrors of war were very well-done and even powerful at times.
There are good things about this, but it needed more work and time. Otherwise, good job.
December 4, 2020
This book was one of my favorites. I chose to read it because I love historical fiction books, especially ones that have to do with war. I love how the author included every single detail about how Taylor was feeling. I like how throughout the book, the author made it seem like Taylor and Phuong were becoming closer and closer. I kept wondering about how the end of the book would be like, but when I got there I wasn't even close to getting the ending right. And I hated it. But otherwise, the book was perfect. I would recommend this book to everyone who likes historical fiction. This book really changed my point of view on things because I used to feel like my life was bad. After reading this book, though, I realized that there are a lot more people that have way worse lives than me. This book was amazing and I would definitely read it again and again and again.
June 26, 2022
Outstanding depiction of everything about the Vietnam War--POWs, Scorched Earth, Agent Orange, intense firefights, the Tet Offensive, politics, bombing, commando raids, landmines, tunnels, Ho Chi Ming Trail, wildlife, tribal natives--all directly discussed and lived first-hand by two teenagers, a troubled American boy, Taylor, who is the son of a CIA agent, and a dedicated-to-the-cause North Vietnamese girl, Phuong, who is a member of the NVA and who holds Taylor prisoner with the mission to take him to Hanoi. Non-stop action, a page-turner, once Taylor arrives in-country and a graphic, thorough depiction of the ups and downs, the ins and outs, of the Vietnam War. A highly recommended suspenseful drama with all-too-vivid realistic detail of a turbulent time in American history.
July 15, 2022
This was an excellent book. I bought this book at the book fair at the school I work at based on the back book cover description. I knew next to nothing about the Vietnam War and did not know anything about Blood Road, also known as The Reunification Trail and the Ho Chi Minh Trail. I was so sad, sickened and disgusted by the descriptions of war. I also was saddened that the countries of Laos and Cambodia were so affected by a war not in their countries. This book definitely educated me on many things that dealt with the Vietnam War. The target audience for this book is 12 - 18 year olds and I feel that I wouldn't have wanted to read anything more detailed then this about this topic.
February 16, 2021
I believe this this book perfectly portrays how societies outlook on war seems oblivious to what war is like when you are there. When 16 year old Taylor Sorenson gets dragged out to South Vietnam during war where his dad works as an ambassador. One night he sneaks out and he gets captured by the north Vietnamese army and his life takes a sudden plunge downward. It shows how even during times like his he still keeps his naive sense of morals and stands by them. An absolute perfect 5 star rating in my opinion.
March 30, 2019
On Blood Road: A Vietnam War Novel is a war story centered on the life of a boy named Taylor Sorenson, who is captured by North Vietnamese soldiers while visiting his father in Vietnam. While being taken to North Vietnam via the Ho Chi Minh Trail, Taylor escapes. He is able to overcome his injuries, and his life goes back to the way it once was. I liked this book because it was very detailed and suspenseful, and also has a happy ending.
May 31, 2020
The author does a wonderful job describing a fictional incident that occurred during the Tet Offensive in 1968. Taylor Sorenson, the son of a diplomat, is kidnapped and forced to walk up the Ho Chi Minh Trail by Phuong, from the North Vietnamese Army. Taylor takes a liking to her and at the end of the book it takes a strange turn with his rescue. This adventure that was supposed to take place over Christmas vacation lasted almost a year. This is a good read for young adult fiction.
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