Blue Dog

Young Blood Trilogy #2

by Andrew Barrer

Their captivity was traumatizing. And draining. But revenge is in the blood for a group of brave survivors in this chilling short story of conspiracies and youthful pleasures gone awry.

Postmillennials thought they would find paradise on Luna Farm, and its sister enclaves, Europa, Crescent, and Blue, in exchange for a weekly bloodletting of their medicinal plasma—a precious corrective to aging. But in this isolated utopia, Billy Cantor stumbled into a nightmare. When his rebellious crew stages a desperate attempt to liberate their fellow harvested youths, they end up on a crash course with one caged young man who could be their savior or destroyer. Will deliverance have a price too?

Blue Dog is part 2 of the Young Blood Trilogy, a provocative and darkly satiric commentary on youthful dreams and cold-blooded reality. Read or listen in a single sitting.

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook, Short Stories, Science Fiction, Dystopia, Ebooks

92 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 29, 2021

Reviews

[Anissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent Middle

For a middle story, this exceeded my expectations. Eli's story was quite a read and a fantastic journey. It was good to see more of how the world was working to the hortific ends at the heart of this plot.

I will definitely read the last part. Great story-telling and I would happily read more by Barrer. Well done.

[Katie’s Bookshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️
This really didn't need Eli's entire backstory? His cult upbringing felt sort of gratuitous, in that it was included for shock value and really added nothing to the story of the farms. Only when he met up with Billy did I realize it was at all relevant. But still, could have been like one chapter tops. It shouldn't have taken precedence over the liberation of two farms- we basically hear nothing about them

[Joey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as enjoyable as the first one, but I'm ready for the third.

[Tgordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great second book in this series. As said in about book one I was not totally sure about these books but now I’m hooked. I’m on the last and wished it was longer!


Very different experience by the captives of the community this book is focused on. They tie the first and the second together nicely. These are must reads.

[Megan Collins · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first entry of Young Blood was clearly science fiction. There was a revolutionary medical treatment and the ramifications of that process to consider. While this one has the same broken narrative format (melded writings by different characters), takes place in the same world, and has cross over characters--the tone is entirely different. We don't learn anything new about the dystopian future or our evil corporation. Two of the farms get zero exploration even when those locations are freed. This short feels exclusively like philosophical fiction. There is nothing technically wrong with that. I think it investigates the ideas of belief, guilt, and pressure from society in chaotic but interesting ways. The hidden split timeline also adds a layer of complexity but pushes the bounds of credulity. The writing is still serviceable and there are some nice concepts in this one. It's just I spent enough time confused about the abrupt change and none of my lingering questions from book one got answered as this didn't push the action forward that my overall enjoyment was less. Further with only confused victims as our narrators, I feel we lost some perspective on the overarching story... maybe I just miss Hallie's spunky attitude.

[Ursula Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilling Continuation of Young Blood Story

This was the second book in the Young Blood trilogy. Having enjoyed the first book, I'm glad the author expanded on the story and made it a trilogy.
After the dramatic events of the first book, Young Blood must deal with the aftermath and what to do about the other colony survivors. A dangerous new man also enters into the mix. While this is a great book, this story packs more of a punch on audio. Both narrators brilliantly bring their characters to life with depth and passion and it is thrilling to hear the story in their words. Many holy s**t and WTF moments abound. This also leads to the inevitable conclusion coming up in the third book. Excellent! Would make a fantastic show or film.

[Anthony Riposta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the first installment of this series during the pandemic in 2020. It was a quick read but it grabbed my attention and I finished it within 2 days. I recently bought a kindle paper white and there was no way I could not indulge in the second installment. Here we are 3 days later and I want to recommend this book to all the young adults in my life. Hell, I even told my thirteen year old to read it. It's brilliantly realistic with enough wit and humor to fuel the story line. I am going to begin book 3 tomorrow.

I highly recommend this series!

[Pedro · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice surprise. I had actually attempted to read this a year or so ago, but couldn’t make it passed the first chapter. Eli’s origin story was a turn off. This time though, I must have had the patience. Because what a ride. Eli’s story took a sharp turn left and Billy’s story was a nice continuation. I loved this. Blood Chicken will forever be a good word to use.

Can’t wait to see what happens in book 3.

[Daisy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible book. I couldn't finish it. Isaac Asimov and Ray Bradbury never had raunchy sex stuff in their stories. This is more like a distopian sci fi...but meh....they shouldve left the sex part out of it. Maybe if they would've eliminated the polyamorous sex stuff I would of finished reading it. In the first book it had weird sex stuff too so I skipped it...over all the storyline for the first one wasnt that great either.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

There’s not a lot here and no twists, which this story is crying out for.

The character development remains unbalanced.

I’m disappointed that not a single reviewer has commented on the racism of having a lone Black character who is… drumroll… a violent criminal (with a good heart?). Both books thus far have also failed the Bechdel test, but there are few enough characters (especially in this one) that it is somewhat forgivable.

Also, why are there alligators in Minnesota?

[NT · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't think it was possible to fall deeply in love with another one of Mr. Barrer's characters so fast, but Eli Sweetly spoke directly to my soul. His voice is so powerful and his wisdom cuts even deeper that listening to him speak made me cry. Somehow, I felt seen. And I'm sure I won't be the only one. Beyond excited for Crescent Moon!

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

It just keeps sucking me in deeper

I don't want to say too much for fear of spoiling anything in this or book one, but I will say Billy Cantor's quest to bring down Dr. Allan Finch and the bloodletters continues and a new player of very dubious character is introduced that could really change everything. I can't wait for book three.

[T.A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Give it time

This one takes a little time to get to the point where you don’t want to put it down (about 25% which as it’s less than 100 pages isn’t too long).

We’ve lost two voices and added another voice which I was not sure was a good voice or a bad voice. That I guess is the point though.

Another good read that makes you think.

[Michelle Boyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would argue this book was not necessary and did not add anything to the "trilogy" -- and, again, I wasn't fully enveloped into this world and its creation. Now, that could partially be my fault as the reader (science fiction isn't my strongest genre) but at the same time... the more 'religion' was brought up in this book, the more I rolled my eyes.

[Justin Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite as thrilling as the first book and seems like some filler to hopefully what concludes in the third installment. This book seems to really gloss over a lot of details. But as short story series go it's still entertaining.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay! Now I'm into it.

The 1st book was good but this was definitely better! Eli's story . . . From beginning till present was just crazy and it REALLY pulled me in. I'm totally invested now.

4 stars

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been a bit since I listened to Young Blood, so when I started this one, I was a tad lost and wasn’t sure I’d like it. But dang, as it got going, I really enjoyed it. And in the epilogue, I had a big smile on my face!

[Sergio Lopez Ruiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting follow up

I enjoyed the first book of the trilogy very much and was eager to dive into the second one. At firts I didn’t really think it was that interesting but as the story went, it really got me hooked and couldn’t stop listening to it. Onto the third!

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second book

This is the second installment of a trilogy, and I really liked it. The point of view switches between Billy and Eli. Two characters who knew each other before the farm.

[Mel Usack · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Maria do Socorro Baptista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gosto muito da forma como é escrito, com diferentes pontos de vista. A distopia segue, embora termine com um toque de esperança. Ansiosa para ler o terceiro e último livro.

[Romy F · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very cool part two

If you liked the first one, you will like part two—give it a try. I’m looking forward to part three.

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Significantly weaker than it's predecessor, especially read so close together. This feels like the setup for a third book, not a book in its own right.

[Kai Charles(Fiction State Of Mind) · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this second book we learn the origin of Eli and learn what life was like at another blood collection center.

[Mary collett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blue dog

I don't even know what the hell I just read. My mind is scrambled. All I know for sure is I'm reading the next book.

[Kylie Harrison (The Reading Cow) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this series on audio 😊

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow... even weirder than the first and still awesome. Onto part 3!

[Benjamin P Hogan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but riding the concepts of book 1 too much...

Interesting but riding the concepts of book 1 too much...

Interesting but riding the concepts of book 1 too much...

[KathyB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as the first story but still interesting. The story started out slow but thankfully picked up at the halfway mark. There were a few twists, overall I liked it.

[Andrea Roveri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sequel doesn’t move the story along all that much, but it introduces a really cool new character and fleshes out the world even more.