Jody, a teen with rock hard abs and little to no future prospects has found family in the down-on-his-luck Robbie, a former high school running back, Midge, Jody's foster sister (who, whilst small in stature leaves a lasting and large impression), and Dag, a talented teen from a good home with a bad sister. Together they've forged a bond most true bloods would want to emulate.
A day in the life of this self-made family, as perceived through the crusty pink-eyes of faithful little narrator Jody makes Blood Sugar as unique and powerful as it is. The trick-or-treat setting providing the perfect catalyst for chaos.
Joining in on the morning of Halloween, the reader is thrust into a mouse ridden keep, complete with hoarded trash piling up in hallways, busted walls, strange spills on many a surface, and is bared witness to an exchange which is petrifying in its plausibility; the plan, to poison candy for the neighborhood children. Robbie, the type cast misanthrope.
A this human horror plays out, the character's shine in their own right, even Robbie. Author Daniel Kraus makes each of his creations hateable and relatable, yet remarkable likable, though for Robbie, the likable part is as short lived as his running back career.
Needless to say, Blood Sugar is a story which sticks like flypaper on skin. The omnipresent threat of something so sinister looms large over each chapter. Each scene Jody relays to the reader inches closer to a curtain close with one certainty; this will not end well.
Goodbye Jody, see you next Halloween.
