There are two sides to every story. The title of the book is either Lifeblood or Blood Life, depending on where you start.

Joshua and Marai join together to search for Marai's mother, who has been taken by a tribe of bloodthirsty warriors, bent upon bringing about the end of the world. Joshua loses his connective abilities, and the two of them struggle to understand what is real in a world split into mortal and spiritual planes. Their path leads them to a hopeless confrontation with true believers, granted spiritual powers through physical sacrifice.

Hugh...