The Blood Between Us

by Zac Brewer

Overview

"This book will seem fresh to new readers for decades to come." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Family secrets turn deadly in this edgy page-turner about the insidious limits of labels and the ties that bind just a little too tightly, from the New York Times bestselling author of the Chronicles of Vladimir Tod.

Growing up, Adrien and his sister, Grace, competed viciously for everything. It wasn’t easy being the adopted sibling, but Adrien tried to get along; it was Grace who didn’t want anything to do with him. When their scientist parents died in a terrible lab fire, there was nothing left to hold them together.

Now, after years apart, Adrien and Grace are forced to reunite at the elite boarding school where their parents were teachers. Being back around everyone he used to know makes Adrien question the person he’s become, while being back around Grace makes him feel like someone he doesn’t want to be.

For as much as Adrien wants to move on, someone seems determined to reopen old wounds. And when Adrien starts to suspect that Grace knows more about their parents’ deaths than she let on, he realizes there are some wounds no amount of time can heal. If Adrien isn’t careful, they may even kill him.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062307934
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	05/03/2016
Sold by:	HARPERCOLLINS
Format:	eBook
Pages:	304
Lexile:	HL700L (what's this?)
File size:	992 KB
Age Range:	13 - 17 Years

About the Author

Z Brewer is the New York Times bestselling author of several books, including the Chronicles of Vladimir Tod series, and more short stories than they can recall. Their pronouns are they/them. Z is also an outspoken mental health and antibullying advocate. Plus, they have awesome hair. Z lives in Saint Louis, Missouri, with a husband person, one child person, and three furry overlords that some people refer to as “cats.” Visit Z online at zbrewerbooks.com.

Editorial Reviews

The characters are richly wrought but broad enough to not be pinned into one era, which means this book will seem fresh to new readers for decades to come...[A] rich, authentic read.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Happily, Brewer does a fine job handling these uncertainties and at the same time ratcheting up suspense as the mystery of the parents’ deaths deepens.” — Booklist

“Brewer threads his story with dramatic high points—explosive science projects, a poignant memory key to the sibling’s animosity—as well as thoughtful explorations of sexuality” — Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

Happily, Brewer does a fine job handling these uncertainties and at the same time ratcheting up suspense as the mystery of the parents’ deaths deepens.

Booklist

Happily, Brewer does a fine job handling these uncertainties and at the same time ratcheting up suspense as the mystery of the parents’ deaths deepens.

Booklist

★ 2016-02-17
Adrien can't get away from his wicked sister fast enough after his adoptive parents die in a horrific accident; it takes something huge to get him back in the same city as his sister, his past, the ghosts he's been trying to outrun, and danger he doesn't see coming. Brewer writes from Adrien's point of view, allowing readers to feel deeply some very painful parts of his life, the arrogance that masks his self-doubt, his humor and intentions, and how bewildering it is to be labeled by people who have no real idea who he is. Adrien is well-off, white, good-looking, and in a lot of pain. Readers understand why others see him as they do, and they know that none of them are exactly right. The central premise is engaging—did Adrien's sister lead their parents to their deaths, and is he next?—and though the book is an easy read, it's not a simplistic one. Brewer isn't afraid to show how smart Adrien is, using cinematic, almost Gothic phrasing, humor, suspense, compassion, and sensitivity to the nebulous natures of sexuality and identity. The characters are richly wrought but broad enough to not be pinned into one era, which means this book will seem fresh to new readers for decades to come. Brewer confides to readers in a prologue that he has transitioned from Heather to Zac and has come out as gay. Although overarching issues of identity are felt in this book, Adrien is not a trans character. Brewer weaves sexuality and identity into the story but does not make them the engine for it; the result is a rich, authentic read. (Mystery. 13-18)

Kirkus Reviews