Blood Slaves

For readers of Victor LaValle,Tananarive DueStephen Graham Jonesand Colson Whitehead’s The Underground Railroadthis ingenious reimagining of the vampire origin story set during the early days of American slavery blends alternate history with supernatural horroras the last surviving member of an ancient African vampire tribe meets a slave desperate for freedomand togetherthey lead an army of enslaved people in a cinematically blood-soaked battle for freedom and revenge. What if nobody ever freed the slaves…because they freed themselves – 150 years before the Civil War? In the Province of Carolina1710freedom seems unattainable for Williefor his beloved Gertieand for their unborn child. They livesufferand toil under their brutal masterJames “Big Jim” Barrowwhose grand plantation was built by the bloodsweatand tears of the enslaved. To flee this hell on earth is be hunted and killed. Until one strange night Willie is offered a dark hope by Rafazian enigmatic slave with an irresistible and blood-chilling path to liberation. Hailing from the Kingdom of GhanaRafazi is the lone survivor of the Ramangaan African vampire tribe rendered nearly extinct by plague. Rafazi has roamed the world for centuries with an undying desire to replenish the power that once defined his heritage. In WillieRafazi has found his first biddable subject to be turned and to help in a hungry revolt. And Willie desires nothing more than to free his people from malicious bondage. Whatever it takes. One by oneas an army of blood slaves thirsting for revenge is gatheredthe headstrong Gertie fears that no good can come from the vampiric legacy that courses through Rafazi’s veins. Willie knows that only evil can fight evil. And when the woman he loves stands between the reemergence of the Ramanga and the justified slaughter of the oppressorsWillie must make an irreversible decision. Only one thing is certain: on the Barrow plantationand beyondblood will spill. Part historical dramapart supernatural horrorand part alternate historyBlood Slaves is an ingenuous and defiant new creation myth of the vampireone rooted in both justice and the sometimes-violent means necessary to achieve it.