Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Review of Blood Relations by Michael Kelly


From Michael Kelly:
"'Blood Relations' is a book that defies pigeon-holing, it is simultaneously a comedic horror comedy. The setting is defined by horror, as the story focuses upon a small group of vampires (and one werewolf), and yes, things get quite unashamedly gory at times. However, the horror is slightly subservient to the erotica. The story proceeds in a state of perpetual arousal, and the sexual situations are graphic, sparing no blushes. But the erotic elements are themselves subservient to the humour - this is a very, very funny book. And all of this adds up to a combination that I adore; the balance is perfect.
This does mean that it will take you off guard at times, however, when the horror reasserts itself suddenly and violently, just when everything had been so sexy and light-hearted, and a main character is brutally slain before you have chance to notice the change in pace. This too is as it should be; the shock is real, and devastating. In fact, this narrative trick is repeated at least three times and it blind-sided me every time.
It's a short novel at 160ish pages and it leaves you wanting more. So it's a good job it's the first of a trilogy, and I will now go read the others!"