Doncaster Book Award - Read Reviews

Doncaster: Discover the Spirit

Blood Ties
by Sophie McKenzie

So far we have received 31 reviews of Blood Ties. You can read them below.

Rachael from Year 6, Hatfield Manor Junior School:

I think this book is great I would definitely recommend it.S
ome words are a bit inappropriate but the story line is very
interesting. Please take my advice and READ THIS
BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Marks out of 10: 10

Kyle from Year 11, Ridgewood School:

I found this book thoroughly enjoyable. The main idea of the
book is about mystery and deception as the characters unravel
things about themselves they never knew. It all starts when
Theo, one of the books main characters discovers something
dramatic about his life was all a lie. I found it thoroughly
enjoyable and think anyone who likes a good mystery novel will
enjoy this.

Marks out of 10: 7

from Year 10, Ridgewood School:

I loved this book, the main character of theo was my favourite.
I also liked the idea of scientific research as a story line to
a book, especially of something that could happen in the
future. It was very enjoyable to read.

Marks out of 10: 8

Megan from Year 7, Ridgewood School:

This book is a thriller that I think ALL year 7's should read.
It is about a boy called Theo who has a body guard, he
runs away from him ALL the time, and a girl called rachael, who
is always being compared with her sister Rebecca, who had died
before (even though Rachel was nothing like Rebecca). Then Theo
and Rachel find out their true identity...

Marks out of 10: 9

Zack from Year 7, Don Valley School and Performing Arts College:

Blood Ties is a sophisticated book, it hooks you in on the very
first sentance. I mean... 'I could see him waiting for me
outside the school gates.' how gripping is that. Sophie
Mckenzie has mixed science fiction with thriller, it is really
fast paced and although the read is fairly challenging it truly
amazes me. It makes you feel like you're one of the characters
and you can feel their emotions. At one point in the story I
was as confused as one of the characters, but the truth is
revealed one bit at a time. The story is about a year 10 boy
and year 9 girl who find out strange things about their parents
and soon after they meet. They find out things about who they
are and how they were born. Someone's out to get them and will
stop at nothing to silence them. Blood Ties a truly fantastic
read.

Marks out of 10: 10

Kiara from Year 8, Don Valley School and Performing Arts College:

Blood ties by Sophie McKenzie is a teenage thriller about
somatic cell nuclear transplantation, or what we would call
cloning. Theo is an average enough boy, but his life is turned
upside down when his Mum begins to reveal a little of the truth
about his exisitence. Then Theo meets Rachel and discovers
that everything he thought he knew about his life is a lie. I
loved this book it's fast moving and unpredictable storylines
make it one of those books which is impossiblt to put down.
Five stars!

Marks out of 10: 10

Rebecca from Year 7, Rossington All Saints School:

Reading this book gave me nightmares! You must be brave to read
this one!

Marks out of 10: 9

Joshua from Year 8, Rossington All Saints School:

I read Blood Ties. It was a book about a boy who knew that his
real dad was still alive somewhere. Then, his mum told him the
truth about him, and the fact that he needed a bodyguard. As he
finds out more about the truth, the people after him, RAGE, get
closer and closer to finding Theo, and his new friend Rachael.
As he constantly escapes his bodyguard,
He discovers more about the truth. But evil is around the
corner, trying to stop him, even kill him to keep him quiet.
But he is only trying to be protected . But the truth about why
is deadly.
Very good & I couldnt reading it was so good!

Marks out of 10: 10

Joshua from Year 7, Ridgewood School:

This book was a real 'read it until your finished edon't care
what' book or in other words a page turner but it was still a
brilliant read with a really good plot.

It was about two kids who are different in a way they don't
know yet until one day, Theo wonders why he has to have a
bodyguard that follows him around everywhere and after many
hours of begging, from his believed to be widowed, mother she
finally tells him something different from what she told him
before: his father, who he believed died in the army, is still
alive and Theo always thought that his dad was a great hero but
as a matter of fact he was a scientist who is having a war with
the evil group RAGE who will stop at nothing to kill Theo or
his lost dad. Theo being so shocked wants to find out more
about him so with his friend the female computer hacker they
find out about someone else who could still know where he is.

And on the other chapters they are talking about the girl who
is always compared to her dead sister who was perfect at
everything. Rachel is one girl who wishes she
had a different life, she gets bulleid at school for being ugly
and she would do anythig to look pretty and one day she gets
told that theres a fit boy who wants to see her and since that
moment when Rachel meets the handsome Theo there lives will
never be the same. After nearlly being shot and nearlly going
all the way to Germany for no reason Theo finally meets his dad
with a shocking truth. Will there be a deadly consiquence for
messing with a genetics scientist who has created 2 things that
has changed the history of the Earth...........
Theo and Rachel.

Brilliant book an experience you won't want to miss.

Marks out of 10: 10

Hannah from Year 11, Don Valley School and Performing Arts College:

I really enjoyed this book it was fast paced and kept me
turning the pages till the end. I liked the way the book was
structured with Theo telling one chapter and Rachel telling the
next, i think this is effective as it lets the reader know what
both characters are thinking and feeling, also when the
charaters are apart you get to know what both are doing and not
just one. This book is full of action and reminds me of James
Bond and Alex Rider. I would recommend this book to anyone who
likes an action-packed story.

Marks out of 10: 9

Fiona from Year 11, Don Valley School and Performing Arts College:

This book was absolutely amazing. I loved it soo much I'm
thinking of actually purchasing the book. It's so full of
twists turns and extremly near misses it's unbelieveably
believeable. I really loved both of the main characters, Theo
and Rachel and how close they become but towards the end it
gets a little irritating and when you read the book you'll find
out why. Well Theo and Rachel are on the run from an army. I
can't tell you who they are and what for otherwise that would
be defying the whole part of you READING TO FIND OUT. And I
can't tell you anything more without giving you the ending. So
if you want to find out then read this book. But it is a truly
amazing book that I hope it wins the book awards. If you like
the CHERUB series then you will definitley enjoy this.

Marks out of 10: 10

Lewis from Year 6, Hatfield Manor Junior School:

I like some bits but others I dont like .some of it has bad
language

Marks out of 10: 5

Megan from Year 6, Owston Primary School:

This book is enjoyable. Recommend to year eights.
This book is about a boy having to have a guard and he doesn't
no why.
He unriveals things about his past.
I think its deserves a 6!

Marks out of 10: 6

Amy from Year 10, Ridgewood School:

This is my favourite book so far in the list. I really enjoyed
this book as it is adventurous and full of many surprising and
unexpected twists. Theo and Rachel , the 2 main characters, are
both thrust into a unknown world where all they know is they
can trust each other. Together they set off on a journey to
figure out their past. But little did they know that by doing
this they would encounter many obstacles and daunting
challanges. To make it out alive they must stick together and
keep a tight grip of the truth. I would recomend this book to
any one who is willing for a challange and is not easliy scared
as there are a few gory scenes and many blood pumping twists. I
have rated this book 10 out of 10 because i thoroughly enjoyed
this book and i was unable to put it down.

Marks out of 10: 10

kieren from Year 5, Hatfield Manor Junior School:

i think blood ties was rubbish because it keeps going on about
the same thing called RAGE! and it just gets boring after the
middle

Marks out of 10: 3

kieren from Year 5, Hatfield Manor Junior School:

i think blood ties was rubbish because it keeps going on about
the same thing called RAGE! and it just gets boring after the
middle

Marks out of 10: 3

Jordan from Year 9, De Warenne Academy:

This book is action packed and brilliant to read.
The book is about a boy named Theo (theodore) and a girl called
Rachel.
if you like James Bond books please read this.

Marks out of 10: 8

Maleeha from Year 9, Don Valley School and Performing Arts College:

This book is about how two teenage chidren discover they are
genetic copies. Theo's Dad's a scientist who wants to do
cloning experiments. What I liked most about the boook was
when they went to America to destroy the work Theo's Dad has
set up. My favoutire character was Rachel. I liked her
because she learns how to fight, even though she's scared she
is determined to save Theo and run away to somewhere safe.

I would recommend this book because it's all about solving the
problem they have got themselves in. It also shows how
dangerous it is to copy genes.

Marks out of 10: 7

chloe from Year 6, Hatfield Manor Junior School:

Blood Ties is an amazing book i think Sophie McKenzie is a
great author and i cant wait to read more of her books.

My favourite character is Theo(Theodore) because he goes
through alot of scary and hard situations.It is a mystery and a
thriller put together.Read and you will love Sophie McKenzie
too.

ITS AMAZING!!!!!!!!

Marks out of 10: 10

Jade from Year 6, Hatfield Manor Junior School:

This book is all about a boy called Theo who wants to find out
about his dad.
I think is book is a thriller because at points its makes you
want to read on more and more.
I wouldn't of liked to have be in the situation Theo and
Rachel were in as it was very awkward.
My favourite character was probably Theo because he was a
very interesting character to read about.
I would definately recommend this book too people aged
10 and over. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK AND I CANT WAIT TO
READ MORE BOOKS BY SOPHIE MCKENZIE.

Marks out of 10: 10

Toni from Year 9, Armthorpe School:

WOW I got this book from our libary on friday 4/12/09 and
finished it the following saturday........ at
mididnight lol!!!!!:D
(not that i would advise any one to say up that late to read a
book you'll be very tired the next day-but thats how addictive
it is :-p)
I read the first chapter in the same break i got it the first
chapter keeps you really fixed its really amazing and i have to
say its my faveourite book on the DBA so far IT GETS A 10/10
FROM ME!!!!!!!!!!XD

Marks out of 10: 10

katie from Year 6, Hatfield Manor Junior School:

I give this book a 10 because it is my fave book out of all the
ones I have read

I think it is a good thriller and for anyone who likes
thrillers this is the book for you

Marks out of 10: 10

katie from Year 6, Hatfield Manor Junior School:

I give this book a 10 because it is my fave book out of all the
ones I have read

I think it is a good thriller and for anyone who likes
thrillers this is the book for you

Marks out of 10: 10

katie from Year 6, Hatfield Manor Junior School:

I give this book a 10 because it is my fave book out of all the
ones I have read

I think it is a good thriller and for anyone who likes
thrillers this is the book for you

Marks out of 10: 10

Tammy from Year 6, Owston Primary School:

I love this book

Marks out of 10: 10

Tammy from Year 6, Owston Primary School:

This book is very good and I loved it and I would recommend
this book to year six and up. This book deserves a 10

I LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE THIS BOOK

Marks out of 10: 10

Charlotte from Year 7, Ridgewood School:

I thought this book was the one of the best books in the world
and in my opinion I think it deserves to win the book awards
this year. I loved reading it and could barely put it down. It
is about a girl called Rachel and a boy called Theo who are
joined to each other in an unbelieveable way. Despite the odd
swear word, I would suggest this book to every age group apart
from years 5&6. The story unfolds very well and with every word
you want to continue reading because of the suspense and
mystery that continues to drag you in and make you feel
present.
You truly feel like your in the characters minds as their
journey together takes you to places you may have never been
to.
This book deserves a ten and I hope it wins.

Marks out of 10: 10

Holly from Year 7, Ridgewood School:

This book is a great gripping thriller and will keep you
wanting to keep reading.
The main male character, Theo discovers the father he thought
died when he was a baby is still alive, and he's determined to
find him. The clues lead him to Rachel, who has problems of her
own, including parents who compare her unfavourably to her
long-dead sister.
Rachel and Theo are attacked by men from RAGE - the Righteous
Army against Genetic Engineering - but they are rescued by
strangers and taken to meet a mysterious figure (see...told you
it was gripping!)There, they both make some startling
discoveries about their identities, which will affect their
past, present, and future in dramatic and life-altering
ways...wooo!
Read this book you won't be disappointed !!!

Marks out of 10: 8

Katie S from Year 6, Adwick Park Junior School:

I think this book is great I would recommend it to other
people to read. Some of the words are a bit hard to read but
this book is amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Marks out of 10: 10

Natalie from Year 6, Saltersgate Primary School:

I loved this book! Its about a boy named Theo who thinks his
dad ,who was a scientist, has died but when his mum tells him
his dad is alive, he sets out to find him.
There is a girl called Rachel whose dad saw the explosion that
Theo's dad was supposed to have died in. Now she is older, she
realises she is being compared to Rebecca , her older sister
who got hit by a car when she was only 16.
Theo waits for her by the bus stop one day and together, they
both go and try to find Theo's dad but a twist lies ahead.

Best book ever!

Marks out of 10: 10

beth from Year 6, Ridgewood School:

i think it is a good book i, it was so good that i have read it
twice

Marks out of 10: 7