Blood Ties is a 2008 young adult thriller science fiction novel by British writer Sophie McKenzie.

When Theo accuses his mother of imagining a threat (which is why he has a bodyguard), Mrs. Glassman reluctantly agrees to tell him who is threatening his life.

Meanwhile, Rachel Smith is annoyed with her parents for constantly comparing her to her dead sister, Rebecca, who was a star student and daughter.

When Rachel receives on her phone a weird text message from her father, Richard, that says, "Goddess still safe in Heaven.

Back in Theo's house, Mrs. Glassman reveals to him that his father, James Lawson, whom she had previously told her son was dead, is actually alive and in hiding from a highly extremist group called RAGE (Righteous Army Against Genetic Engineering).

He comes across an article that says that years ago, RAGE carried out a bombing of a genetic research clinic, which is where Theo's father worked.

The article also mentions Elijah Lazio, 'the Gene Genie' and Richard Smith, who was at the birth of his daughter when he saw the bombing from the hospital window.

Max hacks into Richard's laptop and discovers an email sent to Rachel's dad from a man called Lewis.

At that moment, something seemed to snap inside Rachel as she began tugging on the neckline of Jemima's extremely low shirt.

As they sneak out through a side door and start walking towards the train station, they are suddenly attacked by two men in masks and dark clothing.

After spending a couple of months at Elijah's house in D.C, Lewis and Rachel arrive to rescue Theo and Mel.

RAGE attack Elijah who kidnaps Theo, Rachel and a younger clone of himself, Daniel and holds them hostage.

In December 2010 the sequel to Blood Ties was published called 'Blood Ransom' which continues the story of Rachel and Theo as they struggle to stop Elijah's plans.