📍 ABOUT | Thicker Than Blood
Thicker Than Blood is a political fantasy webnovel about community, belonging, and just how far one would go to have it. Illustrated chapters are released 2-4 times per month, at thicker-than-blood.com. The long-term goal for this project is to adapt it into a 3D-animated limited TV series.
Join the Discord server for chapter updates and an art and writing community! Most member-only perks are handed out there too.
SYNOPSIS
Cast out by their village after the death of their mother, Keia turns to a group of armed revolutionaries promising community, belonging, and found family in exchange for unconditional loyalty -- only, that group happens to be the infamous terrorist organization known as Eden.
The organization gives Keia a task: find and assassinate Cassius Flores, the son of the country's most powerful business oligarch. However, in finding and getting to know Cassius, Keia realizes that community and belonging are not transactional, and must choose between staying blindly loyal to a cause they never believed in, or risking their life for the community they had been looking for all along.
FAQ
What is Thicker Than Blood?
Thicker Than Blood is a story that was conceived in 2021 by artist and creative Olive Humphrey. In 2026, Olive published the story in the form of an illustrated novel, which is free to read at this website, thicker-than-blood.com. The long-term goal is for this novel to be adapted into a 3D animated limited TV series, created and funded independently or with the help of an indie studio.
Thicker Than Blood is a political fantasy story with themes of power, belonging, and loyalty. It follows a mercenary named Keia, who starts to question whether the organization they work for is worth their loyalty, after they become inconveniently close with their next target.
When do chapters release?
At the time of my (Olive) writing this, chapter releases do not operate on a set schedule. Thicker Than Blood is still being written, so if something happens in my life that slows down my progress, I don't want to disappoint readers who may be waiting for regular updates. However, in-progress chapters are being written several chapters down the line from what has already been published, so although I can't promise a new chapter every Friday, I can offer a general, semi-regular ballpark of 2-4 chapter releases per month.
How can I know when a chapter releases?
The most reliable way to know when chapters release is to join Thicker Than Blood's Discord server, or to subscribe to the email list.
Who is working on Thicker Than Blood?
Thicker Than Blood is entirely written, illustrated, published, and coordinated by Olive Humphrey. The story's website was also created completely by Olive, as well as marketing, concept art, event and community management, and any and all other logistics/management/creative development undertakings. It has truly been a passion project.
How do I get involved in Thicker Than Blood's development?
If you are interested in contributing your time and/or skills to Thicker Than Blood, please visit the contact page. You don't have to be even remotely creative or artistic to be interested. I would love to hear from anybody who thinks they can bring something to the table.
Note that I am unable to provide monetary compensation for work done on the project at this time, but am working towards it in the future.
ABOUT THE PATREON
Thicker Than Blood has been, and continues to be, created entirely by a one-person team. It has been a passion project of mine since 2021, and along the way I have had to devote a lot of time, money, and resources into making it real. Your Patreon support helps me with the cost of keeping Thicker Than Blood at its own personal website, and helps me with costs that come up while I devote my time to this story.
A membership gets you...
Early access to new chapters!
Behind the scenes access to chapter art (like sketches and process posts)!
Voting on the next chapters' illustrations!
Exclusive role colours and private channels in the Discord server!
High-resolution wallpapers of book illustrations!
25% off any commissions!
If there is enough demand, I will add extra rewards and possibly higher tiers. I would also be happy to include physical rewards (like stickers, postcards, or charms) sometime down the line.
Where does the money go?
First and foremost, any money earned from Patreon supporters goes towards keeping the website up and running. It's so nice to have your own branded website and not have to see somebody else's company name every time you want to visit it. Your Patreon money goes towards keeping Thicker Than Blood at thicker-than-blood.com instead of notyourwebsite.thickerthanblood.notyourdomaineither.com :)
Any remaining money will be split into two pools:
1 — To cover any expenses tied to creating more content, such as replacing broken hardware or upgrading a software subscription (rest in peace to the days when Photoshop was a one-time purchase).
2 — To save for future additions to the project. This could be things like hiring an editor, adding an online shop, or working towards creating the animated series.
If this is your first time discovering Thicker Than Blood, welcome! I am so happy to have you here. I hope you enjoy this story <3