All the Blood is Red

by Leone Ross
All the Blood is Red cover
Good Books rating 4.31
Contemporary Fiction
Technical:
  • ID: 349
  • Added: 2025-09-10
  • Updated: 2025-09-10
  • ISBN: 9780571391684
  • Publisher: Faber & Faber
  • Published: 2024-11-19
  • Formats: 9
  • Reviews: 4
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99

Set in 1996 London, All the Blood is Red follows three young Black British women—Nicola, an actress on the rise; Alexandra, a journalist recovering from heartbreak; and Jeanette, a determined university student—each striving to claim their place in a world that often seems set against them. Their lives are marked by ambition, friendship, and the painful realities of rejection and violation, revealing how those closest can sometimes inflict the deepest wounds. Interwoven with their stories is the narrative of Mavis, told in Jamaican vernacular, whose identity and past gradually connect to the present-day women, highlighting themes of identity, survival, and generational trauma. Leone Ross’s debut novel confronts issues of race, sexuality, and power, delivering a lyrical yet raw portrayal of self-discovery and resilience amid societal and personal violence.

Reviews
Faber & Faber · 2025-09-10
inventive 4.40

Leone Ross's debut novel is recognized for its inventive and sensitive storytelling, praised for its emotional skill and the depth of empathy it conveys.

Faber & Faber highlights the novel as an inventive and deeply emotive work, with Ross's storytelling described as both noisy and sexy, crashing over the reader like an invigorating wave. The book is noted for its sensitive and skilful narrative that explores intense emotional experiences with compassion, making it a provocative and memorable read.

Quick quotes

    'Noisy, sexy, profusely inventive.' DAILY MAIL

    'Sensitive and skilful . . . deeply emotive.' PRIDE MAGAZINE

    Leone Ross was born in England and grew up in Jamaica.

Amazon UK · 2025-09-10
excellent 4.60

The book is highly praised by readers for its powerful storytelling and emotional depth, earning a strong positive reception with many highlighting its impactful themes and inventive style.

Readers on Amazon UK have expressed strong admiration for the novel, noting its compelling narrative and emotional resonance. The book stands out for its inventive storytelling that grips readers and offers a profound exploration of complex themes, making it a memorable and engaging read that many recommend highly.

Quick quotes

    Customer Reviews, 4.6 out of 5

    Buy All the Blood is Red First Edition, First Printing by Ross, Leone

    34,696 in Contemporary Fiction (Books)

Good Reading Magazine · 2025-09-10
evocative 4.25

The book is noted for its vivid storytelling about women striving to realize their dreams amidst adversity, with a focus on the impact of sexual assault on their lives.

Good Reading Magazine highlights the novel's intense and evocative narrative that follows three women and a mysterious character named Mavis as they confront and strive against forces that threaten their aspirations. The review underscores the book's emotional depth and the way it portrays the complexities of trauma and survival. The magazine appreciates how the story navigates difficult topics with sensitivity, presenting a layered look at the characters' struggles and resilience. The novel is seen as a compelling exploration of the ways sexual violence can disrupt lives, while also portraying the strength and hope of its characters.

Quick quotes

    This is the story of three women – and the mysterious Mavis – as they reach for dreams the whole world seems to want to destroy.

    When sexual assault disrupts their lives, the story gains emotional depth and complexity.

    A vivid and evocative narrative about trauma and resilience.

Allen & Unwin · 2025-09-10
powerful 4.00

The novel is described as a powerful and provocative exploration of three young women's lives disrupted by a sexual assault case, highlighting the emotional and societal impact.

This source presents the novel as a compelling and intense story centered on three young women whose lives are profoundly affected by the consequences of a sexual assault. It emphasizes the book's ability to provoke thought and challenge readers by dealing with difficult themes related to trauma, resilience, and societal judgment. Though brief, the description suggests that the novel offers a nuanced portrayal of the characters' emotional landscapes and the broader social issues they navigate, making it a significant and impactful read.

Quick quotes

    Discover this powerful, provocative novel about three young women whose lives are upended by a sexual assault case.

    It's a story that challenges and engages with difficult themes.

    The emotional and societal impact is deeply felt throughout the novel.

Appears in Lists