Wildblood: A Novel

by Lauren Blackwood

Genres: YA Dark Fantasy; YA Epic Fantasy; YA Literary Fiction

Synopsis

"This YA fantasy is delightfully narrated by Kerri McLean."- AudioFile Magazine

"McLean's lyrical performance and steady pacing keep the reader engaged in Victoria's story; she deftly narrates the many characters and makes them easily distinguishable to the listener." - Booklist

A thrilling new fantasy from New York Times bestselling author Lauren Blackwood!

Eighteen-year-old Victoria is a Wildblood. Since she was kidnapped at the age of six and manipulated by the Exotic Lands Touring Company, she’s worked as a tour guide ever since with a team of fellow Wildbloods who take turns using their magic to protect travelers in a Jamaican jungle teeming with ghostly monsters.

When the boss denies Victoria an earned promotion to team leader in favor of Dean, her backstabbing ex, she’s determined to prove herself. Her magic may be the most powerful on the team, but she’s not the image the boss wants to send their new client, Thorn, a renowned goldminer determined to reach an untouched gold supply deep in the jungle.

Thorn is everything Victoria isn't: confident, impossibly kind, and so handsome he leaves her speechless. And when he entrusts the mission to her, kindness turns to mutual respect, turns to affection, turns to love. But the jungle is treacherous, and between hypnotic river spirits, soul-devouring women that shed their skin like snakes, and her ex out for revenge, Victoria has to decide - is promotion at a corrupt company really what she wants?

A Macmillan Audio production from Wednesday Books.

A fierce, lush fantasy by New York Times bestselling author Lauren Blackwood, Wildblood tells the story of a girl who must find the strength to defeat the demons of the jungle as well as her own to find where she truly belongs.

"A lyrically told story of healing after trauma and finding home, Wildblood is as fierce as it is beautiful, and as hopeful as it is heartbreaking." - Hannah Whitten, New York Times bestselling author of For the Wolf

"Wildblood is a poignant, thrilling, emotionally complex story of love and sacrifice. Victoria's tense journey through the haunted jungle is filled with terror and beauty, both supernatural and human, and will grip you until the very last page." - L. Penelope, award-winning author of the Earthsinger Chronicles

Release date: February 7, 2023

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Print pages: 327

Sample

CHAPTER 1


Bunny is getting strong for fourteen. It takes my whole weight to hold him down tonight, hands and chest on his back, knees braced against the dirt floor. My muscles shake from the effort.

“You are loved,” I whisper, even though I can’t quite reach his ear like I could a year ago. “Come back, my little Bunny.”

Maybe he can’t hear me—enough rain to drown the island pours from the sky, splashing through our glassless window as it slides off the tin roof, and he screams loud enough to wake the whole jungle, even a mile off.

His wild blood flashes near my face—a small, bright yellow crackle like lightning—but his blood science has never burned very hot, so I ignore it. I focus on keeping him pinned, even with his kicking and cries. I stay on the side of his good eye, so when he wakes he knows me.

Huddled on their floor mats, our ten hut-mates sleep through it, or at least they try. It’s the second time this month Bunny has raged. No one asks why anymore. A Wildblood’s science flares out of control with overuse, and everyone just waves it off as Bunny being a reckless kid. But I don’t think recklessness has anything to do with it.

“I’m getting my promotion tomorrow, Bun,” I whisper, my voice harboring an edge of panic. “To team leader. Remember? Everything will be okay now.”

Even mindless, Bunny knows I’m a bad liar. Everything won’t be okay. Not if he keeps overusing his science and making his blood go wild. Not if he rages and I can’t bring him back …

His screams shut off like a faucet. My ears ring in their absence, but I don’t let up on my pressure. Not until his muscles soften, until he whines my name to make me stop. And then I lie there on his back to catch my breath, relieved to feel him breathe evenly, even if I can’t.

He fishes for my hand in the dark, and his body only relaxes once he’s found it. I squeeze tight, shifting to lie beside him.

“You scare me, Bunny,” I say, and pat his back with a force between a soothe and a smack. “You can’t keep raging like this.”

“I have to rage, Victoria,” he murmurs, closing his one beautiful dark brown eye. “Rage is all I have left.”

Rage is all I have left …

I should be so lucky.

Ad in the Wilmington Gazette, 4 June 1893

THE EXOTIC LANDS TOURING COMPANY

Providing the greatest adventure of your life since 1872

The jungle, with its monstrous inhabitants, has long been something to fear and considered nigh uncrossable … BUT NO MORE. Whether you need to cross the island for business or pleasure, our skilled tour guides will provide a safe and pleasant experience you’ll remember for years to come. The QUICKEST WAY to the other side is through!

Enjoy our Rare Beauties and experience the jungle in a way never before possible with the Exotic Lands Touring Company.

A COMPANY YOU CAN TRUST TO KEEP YOU SAFE