Blood Ties (McKenzie novel)

Last updated

Blood Ties
Blood Ties (McKenzie novel).jpg
AuthorSophie McKenzie
Published7 July 2008 (Simon & Schuster Children's)
Media typePrint (Paperback)
Pages448
Awards Lancashire Book of the Year (2010)
ISBN 978-1-84738-275-7
OCLC 225446359
Followed byBlood Ransom 

Blood Ties is a 2008 young adult thriller science fiction novel by British writer Sophie McKenzie.

Contents

Plot

Part 1: London

Theodore "Theo" Glassman is frustrated with his bodyguard, Roy, who is escorting him everywhere. When Theo accuses his mother of imagining a threat (which is why he has a bodyguard), Mrs. Glassman reluctantly agrees to tell him who is threatening his life. Meanwhile, Rachel Smith is annoyed with her parents for constantly comparing her to her dead sister, Rebecca, who was a star student and daughter. When Rachel receives on her phone a weird text message from her father, Richard, that says, "Goddess still safe in Heaven. Richard", she asks him about it and Richard tells her that he was supposed to send the message to somebody else, but refused to tell her anything further. Back in Theo's house, Mrs. Glassman reveals to him that his father, James Lawson, whom she had previously told her son was dead, is actually alive and in hiding from a highly extremist group called RAGE (Righteous Army Against Genetic Engineering). With the information he received from his mother, Theo searches for his father on the internet with the help of his best friend, Jake. He comes across an article that says that years ago, RAGE carried out a bombing of a genetic research clinic, which is where Theo's father worked. The article also mentions Elijah Lazio, 'the Gene Genie' and Richard Smith, who was at the birth of his daughter when he saw the bombing from the hospital window. Theo decides to find Richard's daughter to see if he can get any information from her father about his own father. He and Jake are able to work out how old she is and which school she goes to. As Rachel leaves school the next day, she meets up with Theo, who goes on to tell her that his father may have worked with her father and that he would like to see if Richard knew anything about James Lawson. Rachel agrees, so they both go to her house, where he asks Richard about the bombing of the research clinic. He looks terrified and denies it. Later, Theo gives Rachel his number and tells her to contact him if she gets anymore details. Later on, Theo contacts his hacker friend, Max, who says that she is happy to help if needed. At school, Rachel is confronted by the school bullies, Jemima, Phoebe and Amy, who demand to know what relation she has to Theo. Rachel lies by saying that he's her boyfriend. Jemima says that if Theo is really her boyfriend, then she expects to see him at the school dance as Rachel's date. Later on, Theo rings Rachel, asking her if she can get hold of her dad's laptop. The plan is to get Max to hack into her dad's email account and see if he sent any interesting emails lately. Rachel quickly takes the laptop and hides it in a backpack before heading off to Max's house. When she gets there, she gives Max her dad's laptop. Max hacks into Richard's laptop and discovers an email sent to Rachel's dad from a man called Lewis. The email talks about a business trip to Germany. Theo suspects that his father could be there. He plans to go to Germany and find out. Rachel says that she will come with him as her dad is involved. They arrange to meet up at Rachel's school disco and leave together. On the night of the disco, Theo and Rachel ran into each other and began dancing. Jemima comes up to Theo and asks him why he's here with Rachel. In that moment, something seemed to snap inside Rachel as she began tugging on the neckline of Jemima's extremely low shirt. She screams and everyone gathers around to see what's going on. Rachel pulls Theo away, saying that she had to make a diversion. As they sneak out through a side door and start walking towards the train station, they are suddenly attacked by two men in masks and dark clothing. One man catches Rachel and the other aims a gun at Theo's forehead. Just as Theo braces himself for death, the other man punches the man holding the gun and knocks him out. The man introduces himself as Lewis and admits that he works for Theo's dad and that Rachel's dad is in touch with him. Theo's dad sent Lewis in a mission to rescue Theo, so Lewis started working undercover in the RAGE group in order to find out more about their plans. Lewis added that the weird text message Rachel received from her dad is in fact a code message to confirm that she is safe, as the RAGE people are also looking for her. Lewis then bundles them both into a car, heading off to meet James Lawson.

Part 2: Scotland

Two hours later, Theo, Rachel and Lewis arrive at their destination. They are offered beds for the night by Lewis' girlfriend and colleague, Mel. The next day, Theo is introduced to Elijah Lazio 'the Gene Genie', which turns out to be his father. Elijah explains that James Lawson is in fact his new identity, since he was hiding from the RAGE group and that Theo is a clone of him and Rachel is a clone of her dead sister, Rebecca. Theo feels upset that his mother didn't tell him the whole truth, while Elijah does his best to comfort him, but later shows his true colours when he abducts Theo along with Mel and ties them up on a plane bound for America.

Part 3: Washington D.C

After spending a couple of months at Elijah's house in D.C, Lewis and Rachel arrive to rescue Theo and Mel. RAGE attack Elijah who kidnaps Theo, Rachel and a younger clone of himself, Daniel and holds them hostage. It is revealed that Elijah is in need of a heart transplant and intends to use Theo's heart because of him being a complete genetic match.

Realizing they have to escape Theo, who is locked in his room, cuts himself so that Elijah will come in to help. Theo locks Elijah in his room and escapes the house with Rachel and Daniel. They meet Lewis and Mel in the town and Elijah turns up and captures them, holding them in an abandoned park. Elijah kills Mel, and shoots Lewis in the chest. Ambulance crew turn up and tend to Lewis, Rachel and Theo. The three are transported to hospital. Elijah abducts Daniel and goes on the run with him.

Theo wakes up in hospital and his mother is distraught over her lies that led to her son being nearly killed. Mrs. Glassman convinces her son that he's safe and she will never, ever let him be in danger again. Theo refuses to listen until his mother surprises him by calling him 'sweetheart,' for the first time in his life. She later goes on to explain about the relocation and allows him to call Jake and Max to say goodbye.

Meanwhile, Rachel is visited by her parents, who are delighted to see her safe and sound and do their best to comfort her. When they almost compare her to her dead sister again, Rachel finally sticks up for herself by saying she's not Rebecca.

Later, Theo says his goodbyes to Rachel and her parents and kisses her before departing for a new life with his mum. Rachel and her parents do the same and leave the hospital.

Months later, Rachel comes home from a taster day at a new school and goes online to chat with Theo. They have a friendly conversation before ending telling each other they hope to see each other again... soon.

Awards

Sequel

In December 2010 the sequel to Blood Ties was published called Blood Ransom which continues the story of Rachel and Theo as they struggle to stop Elijah's plans.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Max Cunningham</span> UK soap opera character, created 1995

Max Cunningham is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Ben Sheriff from 1995 to 1997, and Matt Littler from 1997 to 2008. He first appeared on 13 November 1995, and Littler took over the role in September 1997. In 2008, Max was the second longest running character in Hollyoaks, after Tony Hutchinson. In May 2008, it was announced that Littler had decided to leave the show and would depart in July 2008.

<i>To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday</i> 1996 film by Michael Pressman

To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday is a 1996 American romantic fantasy drama film directed by Michael Pressman and adapted by David E. Kelley from the play of the same name by Michael Brady. It stars Peter Gallagher, Michelle Pfeiffer and Claire Danes. The original score was composed by James Horner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darren Miller</span> Fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders

Darren Miller is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Charlie G. Hawkins. He made his first appearance on 6 September 2004 and departed in the episode broadcast on 20 September 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bradley Branning</span> Fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders

Bradley Branning is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Charlie Clements. He made his first appearance on screen on 24 January 2006 and last appeared on 22 February 2010 after he was killed-off in the show's live 25th anniversary. Clements won multiple awards for his portrayal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Burton</span> UK soap opera character (created 2003)

Justin Burton is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Chris Fountain. Justin arrived in 2003 and departed on 3 June 2009. Justin arrived in a family of six, however by September 2006, the Burton family had left the show. It was announced in March 2009 that Fountain had decided to leave the show and would depart in a 'major storyline which echoes the fire which killed his sisters'. Fountain was credited in a flashback episode broadcast on 1 December 2010. On 12 April 2023, it was revealed that Justin had been killed off-screen on 5 October 2022, nearly 14 years after his last appearance on screen.

Jim McDonald (<i>Coronation Street</i>) Character in Coronation Street

Jim McDonald is a fictional character from the British soap opera Coronation Street, played by Charles Lawson. He made his first appearance during the episode broadcast on 27 October 1989. He appeared as a regular character from 1989 to 2000, and has made brief comebacks between 2003 and 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">O.B. (Hollyoaks)</span> UK soap opera character, created 1997

Sam "O.B." O'Brien is a fictional character in the long-running Channel 4 British television soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Darren Jeffries. He debuted on-screen on 6 October 1997 before leaving on 26 February 2008. He later made a brief return in July 2008 before leaving on 11 July 2008. He returned on screen in November 2016. Whilst on the show, O.B.'s storylines revolved around his friendship with Max Cunningham and several relationships. The character has been described as iconic and is most notable for his "classic comedy duo" status with Max. Jefferies was nominated for several awards for his time on the show. During a Hollyoaks live video in October 2016, it was revealed Darren Jeffries would be returning to the role after 8 years away. O.B returned on 17 November 2016 and made his last appearance on 2 January 2017.

<i>Martyn Pig</i> 2002 novel by Kevin Brooks

Martyn Pig is a thriller by Kevin Brooks, published on April 1, 2002 by The Chicken House and aimed at teens and young adults. Martyn Pig won the Branford Boase Award in 2003 and was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal in 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chelsea Brady</span> Soap opera character

Chelsea Brady is a fictional character on the NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives. Created by head writer Sally Sussman Morina, the role was originally played by Mandy Musgrave. The role was recast with Rachel Melvin in 2005. Melvin portrayed the character from 2005 to 2009, after the character moves to London to take care of her mother, Billie Reed. She is the child of Bo Brady and Billie Reed. Chelsea is born by the name of Georgia Reed Brady. "Georgia" is presumed dead, and buried in a bayou in Louisiana. In 2005 after Chelsea Benson's parents are killed in a car accident, DNA tests show that she is Georgia Reed Brady.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Branning</span> Fictional character from EastEnders

Jack Branning is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Scott Maslen. He made his first appearance on 29 October 2007. He is the youngest child of Jim and Reenie Branning and the brother of April Branning, Carol Jackson, Derek Branning, Suzy Branning and Max Branning. The character was introduced to the show during a period when EastEnders was being routinely criticised in the media for its reliance on resurrecting old characters. The casting of Maslen provoked some controversy, being the first time an actor had been poached from one mainstream soap to another. It was quickly established that Jack is a morally ambiguous character with a murky past in the police force resulting in the paralysis of his young daughter, Penny. Tabloid media have praised the character for his role as resident Romeo, commenting frequently on his good looks and attractiveness, although broadsheet press have been more critical of Maslen's acting. On 1 July 2019, Maslen filmed his 1,000th episode as Jack.

<i>John & Jen</i> Musical

John & Jen is a musical with music by Andrew Lippa, lyrics by Tom Greenwald, and a book by Lippa and Greenwald. It is a two-person show about the relationships first between a brother and sister, John and Jen, and then, after John is killed, between Jen and her son, also named John. The musical opened Off-Broadway in 1995 and was revived Off-Broadway in 2015.

<i>Mel Karade Rabba</i> 2010 film by Navaniat Singh

Mel Karade Rabba is a 2010 Indian Punjabi-language film directed by Navaniat Singh and written by Dheeraj Rattan. It was produced by Rajan Batra and Vivek Ohri. It stars Jimmy Sheirgill and Neeru Bajwa. Pop singer Gippy Grewal made his acting debut with the film. Amar Noorie, Sunita Dhir and Shavinder Mahal also make appearances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Who Killed Lucy Beale?</span> Storyline from the BBC soap opera "EastEnders"

"Who Killed Lucy Beale?" is a storyline from the BBC soap opera EastEnders. It was announced on 21 February 2014, and began on 18 April 2014, when Lucy Beale was discovered dead on Walford Common from a deliberately inflicted head injury. The storyline reached a peak during EastEnders Live Week on 19 February 2015, the show's 30th anniversary episode, during which Lucy's 10-year-old half-brother, Bobby, is revealed to have killed her following a confrontation at home. Bobby's adoptive mother, Jane Beale, had covered for him, moving Lucy's body to Walford Common and convincing Bobby that he was not responsible for his sister's death.

<i>The Rehearsal</i> (2016 film) 2016 film

The Rehearsal is a 2016 New Zealand drama film directed by Alison Maclean. It is based on Eleanor Catton's novel of the same name. It was screened in the Contemporary World Cinema section at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival.