Bad Blood

The First Book of the Aphotic

By: Tobin Elliott

Narrated by: Jenn Johnson

Sometimes, the ties that bind can break you.

It's 1975, and nine-year-old Talia is not happy. Everything has been different since her little sister Alex came along. Since her dad left. Since all her mother's attention has been focused on anyone and everything but Talia.

It's definitely all Alex's fault. Talia hates Alex. She just wants things to be like they used to be. When her dad was home. When everyone cared about her. When there was no Alex.

Then she's given a book. One that's special. One that seems only for her. One that can help her take all her anger and frustration and rage and … unleash it.

Now, Talia will make them all pay.

But everything comes with a price. And some things must be paid in blood.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022, 2023, 2024 Tobin Elliott (P)2024 Tobin Elliott

Whew, what a short, brutal ride

I really enjoyed this story and I've already started in on the next one, Out For Blood.
There are a lot of stories about some magical, mystical artifact that falls into an unsuspecting character's hands, but this one is unapologetically brutal. As a side note, I wrote a story for a creative writing class in college about a watch that the wearer could use to stop time. Hacky? Absolutely. But, it was fun writing it anyway.
Anywho, Bad Blood is much less hacky than my short story was - filled with the angst of a girl being raised by a single mom, blaming that mom for her father leaving and the consequences (unintended or not) of her actions.
There's a fair amount of violent acts in the story and a scene or two that made me squirm a bit, but overall I really enjoyed this and am enjoying its sequel.
I suppose I should add that I was given a copy of this book in exchange for a review. Mr. Elliott was nice enough to share it with me and encouraged a review whether I liked it or not and I'm happy to report that I'm being truthful in my review as I will be for the book's sequel.

New Levels of Creepiness

This was my first entry into the horror genre, and it was not what I expected. At first, because I am of a certain vintage, it hit me with some levels of nostalgia that kind of comforted me, and helped me relate to the atmosphere and characters in the book. Then however, as things progress, Tobin took those comfy, nostalgic feelings and twisted them into a level a of creepiness I didn't know existed. This was a nice change from the typical types of horror you normally get in movies. This was new and uncomfortable to me, but in an entertaining way. I definitely recommend this book, and look forward to checking out the other books in the series!

Great story

Definitely for someone who enjoys horror. It’s was intriguing and creepy as well. I wasn’t expecting the end which made it more enjoyable but still a bit fucked. Good horror book.

Creepy possessed book tale

Well told and well paced horror story, creepy kid and a horrifying book. Talia is given a possessed book and as the book reveals itself to her she grows and changes and exacts revenge.

refreshingly dark

The narrative draws you in like a warm bath, slowly coming to a boil before you realize it's to late to get out. Exceptional.

Why do children make the best horror characters?

I was captivated from the very beginning of this story. The narrator did an AMAZING job. I can’t honestly say that I can’t wait to read the rest of this series. I’m not sure why but children seem to always make the best horror characters.

A chilling story exploring the mind of a child

I listened to the audio book. I thought Jenn Johnson did a great job with the narration.

This story centers around a young girl who gets a book that gives her the ability to control living things structurally. It mainly focuses on the young girl's psychological state of mind processing her father having abandoned their family & her blaming her younger sibling for all the problems.

I enjoy stories that explore the inner workings in the mind of troubled people, especially children. It can be so interesting to explore the psychology of someone dealing with such dark thoughts & emotions to see how they process those issues. I found that aspect of the story very engaging.

The things I wasn't as fond of is that the story didn't seem to give us much understanding of the origins of the powers the girl was using. This is a long series, so I assume that comes up later, but as a reader I felt more likely was owed to the reader to develop the storyline. I won't know for sure without reading the rest of the books, but sometimes an audience struggles without enough information early in a story.

My biggest problem with the story (This could be somewhat of a spoiler but only mildly) is I am not a fan of many horror writers depending on very graphic animal abuse & using traumatic child abuse for their stories. These seem in books I find to be overly used tropes. I get that these can be popular things in linking psychological behavior in horror, but it seems to be a crutch authors are using for cheap gross thrills. Many might not mind the graphic descriptions of torture, but for me, there are ways to use the theme without focusing on it so heavily. To each their own on this matter.

Overall, I really enjoyed the POV of the troubled child & mostly was held captivated to see where the story went. I wish we were given more to the complete storyline, but I would be interested to read more of these books to see if they can build on the mystery.
Thank you, Tobin, for making this twisted & intriguing story.

Quick and compelling

I received an audio review copy of this book, and it was a captivating two-an-a-half hours.

Elliott masterfully captures the raw intensity of Talia's emotions, painting a vivid portrait of a child struggling to cope with feelings of abandonment and isolation. As her resentment festers, she receives a mysterious book that promises an outlet for her pent-up anger and frustration. In this book, she discovers a power that allows her to unleash her rage in ways she never imagined.

What makes "Bad Blood" truly captivating is Elliott's skilful exploration of the complexities of human nature. As Talia grapples with her inner demons, readers are confronted with themes of anger, resentment, and the corrosive effects of unchecked emotions.

Whether you're a fan of psychological thrillers or simply appreciate a well-crafted story, this is a must-listen that will keep you captivated until the very end. Jenn Johnson is an excellent narrator. I'm definitely looking forward to where The Book goes next.