Blood Slaves, is the first book in the blood Saga series by Marcus Redman, I was excited to get this book after reading so many books where I wish I had a Time Machine to go back and give racist white people what they deserve. I mean if there was a world where we could have our what if’s. So when I saw this book and all the room for retribution revenge by the actual people that suffered such horrible atrocities I was all in. Sadly although this is a vampire story that is almost an afterthought to the main rape and abuse of the women and children in the story. I could see having examples of this to show the physical and sexual abuse they went through I just think they just had absolutely too much of it especially with the children. Not only that I thought Willie came off as a mansplainer and most of the white people were just stereotypical cartoon characters of a racist white person. I wanted so much for Willie and everyone else to get their revenge and find happiness with the other vampires and that we would learn more about them and maybe that is something he will do in the next book but I don’t think I will be reading that I was sadly disappointed by this one and although I thought the revenge was good there was too much not so good stuff surrounding it.#NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #MarcusRedman, #BloodSlaves,

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)

Blood Slaves by Markus Redmond is a dark, gripping blend of history and fantasy that completely surprised me. I don’t usually enjoy fantasy, but this was the first novel in the genre that really pulled me in.

The story reimagines slavery in the early 1700s, adding a supernatural twist with Rafazi, an African vampire from the Ramanga tribe, who offers enslaved people the power to fight back. What I loved most was how the author mixed real historical pain with the supernatural, it gave the story weight and meaning while still being exciting and imaginative. The characters, especially Willie and Gertie, felt layered and human, and their choices made me stop and think about freedom, sacrifice, and survival.

The pacing was strong, with moments of raw brutality balanced by hope and resistance. Some parts were intense and difficult to read because of the subject matter, but that’s also what made the book so powerful.

I’m giving it four stars because while it was an amazing experience, a few sections felt a little heavy and I needed breaks to process everything. But overall, it’s a story that stuck with me long after I finished it.

If you like historical fiction, horror, or just want a fantasy novel that feels different and meaningful, Blood Slaves is worth picking up.

Blood Slaves was a gripping and thought-provoking read. I really appreciated how the author wove together themes of slavery, identity, and power with a fresh vampire twist. One of the most moving moments for me was when the main character reconnected with his true identity beyond the name forced on him; beautifully written. While the book is marketed as horror, I personally didn’t find it scary, but it still carried strong, dark, and atmospheric elements. The author’s note at the beginning also set the tone perfectly. Overall, I enjoyed this unique take on vampire fiction and rated it 4 stars

I was very nervous to start this. I wasn’t sure if I was up to reading anything too triggering. However, the moments of violence were not overly traumatic and accounted for only a small portion of the book. I still recommend checking the trigger warnings before reading, so you aren’t caught off guard. Every part of the story drew me in; I wanted to learn more about the vampires, their origins, and who they were. Reading from Willie’s point of view was always heart-wrenching for me, filled with so much frustration regarding his situation and Gertie. He could do nothing but survive in a cycle of abuse and torment.

Rafazi’s friendship with Willie marked the beginning of something new, and I absolutely loved it. I was excited to see the slaves gain some power for themselves. Following Willie’s journey into his new life, his motivation to help Gertie, and his fight for her was captivating. Even when she believes him to be some evil entity that will bring more harm than good, the pacing remained steady, featuring realistic portrayals of horrific behavior and the complex relationships between the slaves. The ending held my complete attention, and I am looking forward to the next installment of the series and what other surprises the author may have in store for the characters.


Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing, I received an ARC for an honest review!

For any future readers- Please please please find the trigger warnings before reading this book and proceed with caution. This was a really horrific book.

I mean I have read plenty of horror and some really gruesome ones as well as plenty of vampire reads but this was just something else. It was violent and didn't lightly tip toe around, it was in your face (or ears if you listen to the audio- which by the way- stellar narrator, loved the audio narrator for this book.)

It was filled with the absolute worst that made me nauseas so many more times than not.

I will give the author credit on writing a very intense horror novel mixed with historical events that broke my heart in a million pieces and made me feel utterly sick. I think it is absolutely worth a read for anyone who can handle the triggers but also I did feel like the vampire lore was not explored enough here and it was mainly focused on the brutal experiences of people during those times with just a dash of vampires. So for it to come out and say right off the bat "I wanted to write a kick ass vampire book" but not really deliver much on that aspect, I do have to knock off a star.

Otherwise I will leave this at a 3.5 stars, it is horror in all aspects of the term. I am not sure I could stomach continuing on with further books in this world though. It was heavy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this is exchange for a review.

Blood Slaves is easily one of my favorite reads of this year. The subject matter is extremely hard to get through but the multi layered characters, action and lore will keep you invested until the last page.

My rating is 4.5 stars. However I’m rounding up. This was an Arc I received through NetGalley. I couldn’t submit the review on a timely matter due to having to step away emotionally after reading chapter 4. After taking time away from the read I decided to finish the experience and I’m thankful that I did. Redmond’s delivery of horrific parts of history involving a character Willie who within the story was a slave was written in such rawness and truth. There were so many layers to this story that at the end it left me sitting with the aftermath deep with my thoughts. Also the epilogue!!!

I truly think this should be required reading in schools. We need this. I adore everyone who compared this to Sinners, as I do believe it held similar themes. I plan on rereading this soon.

I almost set this book aside because the trigger warnings, were intense, raw, and at times overwhelming. However, my curiosity about the direction of the story kept me reading, and I’m glad I did. The writing is engaging and easy to follow, with a narrative that pulls you in and keeps the pages turning despite the heavy subject matter.

That said, I would caution readers who are sensitive to themes of physical abuse, sexual assault, or racial slurs. If those elements are difficult for you, this may not be the right book. But for those who can navigate these challenging themes, the story is powerful, emotional, and ultimately rewarding. Overall, I found it a worthwhile read.

My 💭:

Willie stole my heart in this story. It wasn’t an easy decision that he made but I’m glad he had the courage to do so.

Rafazi was such a good mentor to Willie.

Gertie had me shaking my head. Sis, it doesn’t matter how good you are these slave owners don’t see you as an equal.

Irene, Tussy and Fanna doing it for the sisters!!

Clarance….always that one Black person. Deep negro spiritual sigh with this one.

I knew Derby was trash. 🙄

“Or perhaps it was the white woman bragging about a Negro man being murdered on her behalf because she had accused him of attempting to grab her, when she, Irene, was assaulted nightly by a white man who faced no consequence for his actions at all.”

This passage in the book stayed with me for a long time and I truly hope all the Black people who were killed for no good reason are at peace.


Blood Slaves is one of the best debut novels I have read in a long time! Redmonds storytelling Reading had me feeling like I was on the plantation with my ancestors and I smiled and cheered when they all got their lick back! The ending has me chomping at the bits for the second book.

Notable Quotes:

“Existence should be the only prerequisite for giving and getting common decency, no matter what color skin you were born with.”


“Vengeance is a followed impulse, a reaction. Courage is a choice. It drives you to do the thing you know is right, even in the face of opposition.”

“Making hard decisions for the greater good and acting on them with purpose and sacrifice is courage.”

Scary, dark, and gripping. The type of book you want to stop reading but cannot put down.
Excellent world building and storytelling
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Would you sacrifice your own humanity to protect your people, your family? And what if your sacrifice meant destroying those who had long abandoned theirs?
This book is raw, unflinching, and at times difficult to read, largely because of its harrowingly accurate portrayal of slavery and the atrocities committed throughout history. It doesn’t shy away from the brutality, and when the long awaited revenge comes, it’s both vindicating and bloody. As painful as parts of this story was to read, there’s something deeply satisfying in seeing justice, however fictional, served to those responsible for such unimaginable cruelty.
What stood out most to me was the deeper message woven into Redmond’s powerful storytelling, between vengeance and humanity. A line that has stayed with me is, "Guilt is the link to your humanity," a reminder that is as relevant today as it was in the past.
I appreciated this book for its boldness, its honesty, and its horror. It serves as a visceral reminder of what can happen when we lose touch with our humanity and why we must never let that happen again.

*Thank you to Markus Redmond, Kensington Publishing and Netgalley for the digital copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

Man, this book was an absolute delight! It was a gory and descriptive read that allowed me to vividly imagine the scenes as I turned the pages. However, it’s important to note that it’s a challenging read due to its heavy content, including racism, suffering, slavery, SA, torture, blood, and gore. So, be aware of the content warning at the beginning of the book, as it may not be suitable for everyone.

While it’s not for the faint of heart, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Willie had a vision, and Rafazi helped him achieve it by transforming him into a vampire. Initially, Gertie annoyed me, but I eventually understood her reasons for not wanting to be involved. She was torn between good and evil. Irene, on the other hand, became my favorite character. She endured so much and her revenge was well deserved.

I was thrilled at the end of the book when the last chapters tied everything together. This author truly has a gift for storytelling. I highly recommend it.

I want to express my gratitude to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.

Blood Slaves has the bones of a great story but struggles with the execution. It's a book that wants to be profound about justice, revenge, and the costs of freedom, but it gets bogged down in shock value rather than emotional truth.
If you're drawn to alternate histories with supernatural elements and don't mind graphic content, you might find enough here to enjoy. Just don't expect the tight pacing and character development the premise deserves. The idea of vampire-powered slave rebellion remains fascinating - it just needed better storytelling to match the ambition.

Historical drama, alternate history, and supernatural horror. BLOOD SLAVES by Markus Redmond is about Willie fighting against oppression, white supremacy, and seeking vengeance. I really enjoyed the relationship between Willie and Gertie because of the things they disagreed on and how deeply they cared for each other. I also appreciated Rafazi because of his past and how he wants to bring glory and pride back to the legacy of the Ramanga, his African vampire tribe. The writing style was awesome and in moments of tension it feels like you're there with the characters. The immersion comes from the description of body parts and body movements in important moments of the story and it just feels utterly cinematic. You can see his experience as an actor, director, and screenwriter show in the writing style and that's amazing.

The story was thrilling as Willie, Gertie, and Rafazi create plans to seek vengeance. I enjoyed the scenes when Willie was explaining <spoiler>how to act as a vampire.</spoiler> Also, there is a vampire dog!

I appreciate that BLOOD SLAVES speaks to the experiences of Black enslaved people, and the pain and suffering that they lived through in the US for centuries because of white supremacy. The letter about Markus's personal experiences right before the story broke my heart and it shows how white supremacy is embedded into the police and justice systems in the US, not to mention the racism and micro/macroaggressions in Hollywood. I highly recommend this book for a world in which Black vampires create a revolution against their oppressors.

Remember to check trigger warnings because there are graphic scenes.

Thank you to Markus for the ARC and the publisher!

TO THE BLOOD.

Markus Redmond is masterful at storytelling, wow.
I had high expectations for this story and I was not disappointed.
The story line is gripping and steady paced. It easily pulls you in and it easy to take your time with and enjoy.

This story reminded me of other books I’ve read like “The Ballad of Black Tom” by Victor LaValle and “Ring Shout” by P. Djeli Clark.

I would reread this and recommend it again and again.

First and foremost: Please read the trigger warnings and take them to heart before considering reading this book.

Thank you to Kensington Publishing and Netgalley for providing me with this ARC.

This was a very interesting read that left me wanting more. Unfortunately, this is not a completely positive thing.

The mythology regarding the Ramangans is mostly left to the reader's imagination which was disappointing. One of the most fun parts of vampire stories is what the mythology and world is like since it always differs from story to story!

I absolutely love the characters but again wish there was more. This flows into the aspect of pacing too because everything happened SO FAST. The reader never really got to sit in the character's feelings and decisions. A hundred pages more wouldn't have hurt in this case and I don't say that often.

The writing is very good making it an easy-read and the ending was so satisfying but I'm not sure if I will continue this series due to the other aspects.

You would like this book if you like!
- 1700s history
- Intense gruesome action scenes
- Morally complex characters
- Slave vengeance!
- Supernatural elements

Blood Slaves is a gritty tale set in 1710 Carolina— The story follows Wille, a slave being treated horrifically on large but nightmarish rice and cotton plantation. In his quest to escape this awful treatment by an overseer with a weird obsession with him, he runs into Rafazi, who’s the last surviving member from a Ghanaian Vampire tribe.
I was reeled into this book by the description this is the year of Black vampires! But it fell flat with the execution. The pacing of this book was inconsistent; we sat in so many moments of just this… racist violence. So many scenes are just unspeakable horrors—the worst things that could happen did in fact happen to these slaves from violent beatings, to SAs for all genders and ages. We also just sat in these racist rants, and after all the anger was broke, I was ready for the vampires, but that was lacking. The horrific treatment of slaves is well known and so this did not feel unique, and we were just being subjected to this gruesome treatment for the sake of it.

Then the slaves in this book were meant to be morally complex characters however fell flat. Willie was the only character that is well done. He is supposed to be the revolutionary, I would not say a hero as he faced many issues and conflicts with his own character. Then there is Gertie, who is the counter opinion for the revolution of slaves, as she advocated for being good and then good things would happen, even if the history of their treatment did not prove that. She was difficult and unlikeable and felt more of a caricature just to drive a point instead of a character who is developed.

To wrap up, I was left disappointed. I think I went in with high expectations and I had an idea of how this book would go and the reality of the book did not meet that.

Blood Slaves by Markus Redmond has everything a great historical fantasy needs - intrigue, an alternative reality, and a graphic setting that the reader can immerse themselves into. Though the graphic descriptions may haunt the reader, it is undeniable that Redmond thoroughly grabs the reader from the beginning. From the revelation of the vampire to the successfully planned revolt, Redmond illustrates masterful and immersive world building and plot progression. For anyone who loves SINNERS or antebellum/Jim Crow horror novels, BLOOD SLAVES will surely satisfy your blood thirsty craving!

Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC. I also want to express gracious gratitude for Markus Redmond for his interactions via Instagram. *Toe pic* He will get the reference.

This story was not just one about slaves, slavery, and vampires. It's the story of resiliency, redemption, revenge, and I would consider this an historical fiction novel.

While I think we can all agree vampires do not exist in the traditional, horror sense. They are fun mythical beings that are not to be tamed, and are not beings you want to cower before. The way that Redmond has woven the dark history of slavery mixed with vampiric lore was crafted so eerily that it actually made perfect sense for the world he (re)created.

Redmond uses the vampire mythos from Madagascar (radamagans), and puts his own unique interpretation on it. The themes of race, gender, class, and sexuality are all featured throughout Blood Slaves.

General thoughts:
*Rafazi's maker was continuously referred to as "She/Her" with overkill (pun intended). I think "She" could have been described with varied terminology. "She" was never given a name, and while that was confusing, I do know Redmond has informed readers this will, so far, will be a three book deal. Quite possibly, hopefully, "She" will be explained with more clarity in a background story in the upcoming sequel(s).
*What was in the warrior's blood? Disease, plague, hate? This was explained with much more transparency toward the end of the novel. In the beginning, it is described but it came off as slightly ambiguous.
*Vampires who swim, certainly defies traditional vampire lore. I actually enjoyed this small part. I never have believed vampires can't swim/cross water. It just makes no sense.
*My interpretation of what radamagans were described, is that they resemble the same facial features as the vampires from Buffy.
*The pregnancy plot hole was a bit strange to me. The way the story was written, the father of the baby was not having sex with her until after she told the "father". The other person who knew the true father had already told them. Later on, the true father was mentioned, and it seemed to be a plot hole.
*This quote brought the novel into present times with its nod to current political issues with suffering Americans. "The world can't stay this way forever. We ain't s'posed to live like this here."
It made me think that in the USA, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

I did make a video review via IG, that probably details a much more accurate review from my lens.