Author Kathryn Lasky chose to relate this novel as a series of historical episodes to demonstrate the Inquisition’s crushing effects on an entire people over a 500-year period.

As Jerry travels through different eras, she encounters a series of historical injustices that her family endured: forced conversions, betrayals by friends and neighbors, and the fear and secrecy imposed on each generation as they struggled to hide their heritage to survive.

these journeys, Blood Secret suggests that trauma—especially when hidden or suppressed—doesn’t simply disappear; instead, it transforms, often manifesting as fears, tendencies, and values that unconsciously shape the lives of those who inherit it.

Kirkus Reviews discussed how "Lasky tries to weave [Blood Secret] into a tale of Catholic, Jewish, Aztec, and Navajo strands, where Jerry learns her full name and all of its meaning."

They concluded, "Though it often reads like a lesson in this aspect of Jewish history, rather than a true historical time-travel, there will be readers eager to delve into the secrets of blood and shadows.