Review: Midwinterblood by Marcus Sedgwick

Title: Midwinterblood

Author: Marcus Sedgwick

Publisher: Indigo

Publication Date: 6 Oct 2011

Synopsis from Love Reading 4 Kids

In 2073 on the remote and secretive island of Blessed, where rumor has it that no one ages and no children are born, a visiting journalist, Eric Seven, and a young local woman known as Merle are ritually slain. Their deaths echo a moment ten centuries before, when, in the dark of the moon, a king was slain, tragically torn from his queen. Their souls search to be reunited, and as mother and son, artist and child, forbidden lovers, victims of a vampire they come close to finding what they've lost. In a novel comprising seven parts, each influenced by a moon - the flower moon, the harvest moon, the hunter's moon, the blood moon - this is the story of Eric and Merle whose souls have been searching for each other since their untimely parting.

REVIEW

This is my first foray into the YA world of Marcus Sedgwick the only other book I have read of his is Flood and Fang – review here. I must say this will not be my last; I have heard amazing things about Marcus Sedgwick’s writing and was not in the least bit disappointed.

I will admit that I started the book without reading the synopsis; I only saw the word soul mates mentioned and knew I had to read it. So there I was reading away thinking myself so clever for working out that the story featured reincarnated souls of Eric and Merle when I decided to read the synopsis and there it was in black and white that yes indeed they were the souls of Eric and Merle reincarnated *headesk*. I always pray for a happy ending – the words They All Lived Happily Ever After – would be a dream come true for me. So I was rooting for Eric and Merle to have their happy ending right from the start.

The way in which the book is divided into 7 sections alongside Eric’s name being Eric Seven is very clever and implants the idea of the seven lives immediately. The timeline for each story works its way back to the first incarnation of Eric and Merle before returning to the present day. The ingenious use of details from within each story woven into the next showing their origins were an utterly magnificent piece of storytelling.

Amazing use of what can be imagined as Norse Mythology woven into the plot re-enforced by the remote island scenery. The name of the island itself is significant within the plot. The way in which the name of the island is significant at each point in time. The meanings of the name at the different time periods in history added to the plot and helped the imagination of the dialects. Although the pronunciation remained the same the meanings and spelling were so very different. Amazing.

The different forms of love are cleverly portrayed – parent and child, siblings and lovers. The different types of love we are capable of isn’t something that I often think about but this aspect of the book really had me analyzing relationships.

I am probably going to show my lack of intellect now by telling you that I didn’t really understand the ending. Don’t get me wrong I appreciated it and the completeness it provided to the story. But I didn’t really understand why it had to be that way and it was completely bittersweet. Not an ending you will forget in a hurry. A chilling tale.

If you are looking for masterful storytelling then this is the book for you.

MG Monday: Review: Flood and Fang by Marcus Sedgwick

Title: Flood and Fang

Series: The Raven Mysteries
Author: Marcus Sedgwick
Illustrator: Pete Williamson
Publisher: Orion Children’s
Publication Date: 7 Oct 2010

Synopsis: From Amazon

Meet the wonderfully weird Otherhand family and their faithful guardian, Edgar the raven, and discover the dark secrets of Castle Otherhand. Edgar is alarmed when he sees a nasty looking black tail slinking under the castle walls. But his warnings to the inhabitants of the castle go unheeded: Lord Valevine Otherhand is too busy trying to invent the unthinkable and discover the unknowable; his wife, Minty, is too absorbed in her latest obsession - baking; and ten-year-old Cudweed is running riot with his infernal pet monkey. Only Solstice, the black-haired, poetry-writing Otherhand daughter, seems to pay any attention. As the lower storeys of the castle begin mysteriously to flood, and kitchen maids continue to go missing, the family come ever closer to the owner of the black tail...

Dedicated website on Raven Mysteries: www.ravenmysteries.co.uk

Review:
Firstly I have to thank Jenny from Wondrous Reads and Nina Douglas from Orion for introducing me to these fabulous books. If you notice my Middle Grade Monday button is actually Edgar from the Raven Mysteries - awesome you will agree. Bringing me to the first point about this book. The illustrations are just amazing. Take a look for yourselves:

They add detail to the plot and bring the characters to life within the imagination.

The use of bold of certain words within the narrative draws attention to that part and adds impact to the plot. Combining action, adventure with some real laugh out loud moments.

An omniscient third person narrator at the start of each chapter keeps the plot tightly under control while giving insight into events that might be overlooked otherwise.

Each chapter then reverts to first person narrative from Edgar's perspective. Oh how I adored Edgar's narrative voice, so totally relateable for someone of my age, the moans of groans of our bodies letting us down as we age, even though Edgar is a raven. Edgar's age is only something that is hinted at throughout the book. As the story progresses we are lead to believe that Edgar is not your average Raven, he is something more, but what, is he a magical creature I wonder? Edgar's direct address to the reader gave the narrative a more personal feel, I don't usually like birds as pets but I would make an exception for Edgar [ : D ] He can be over-dramatic and ever so snarky - what a brilliant pet to have. His narrative voice had a superior quality, this is either because he does believe himself to be superior or because of his age, the insight into the way his mind works is such fun to read. The background detail and history of Castle Otherhand, Edgar provides rounded out the story beautifully. Plus I agree completely - Wednesday is never a good day, lol.

The contrast between Edgar as Solsitice's pet and their close relationship and understanding with that of the psychotic monkey, Fellah, Cudweed's pet. Edgar's disdain and utter lack of concern for Fellah made me giggle. The family reminded me of The Addams Family but funnier.

There is some fabulous vocabulary used throughout this book, a brilliant addition to the Middle Grade titles available and one I shall be using for the Reluctant Reader Program I am taking part in this September at school.

Thank you again to Jenny and Nina I really really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading the others.