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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
This book is just weird, but I really liked it!
Why I read it: 2014 YALSA Hub Challenge
Format: Print
Pro's: I pretty much loved everything about this. The way it totally defied genre, the eerie feeling that pervaded the whole thing, the way the stories all subtly connected, the way I just couldn't quite figure it out, the recurring motifs.
Con's: No cons for me personally, though I would not recommend it to any readers who like books with a definite ending where all the strings are tied up. Another sad thing is that Sedgwick is a relatively unknown author. In my experience young adults don't seek out Printz award winners (or know what they are). So here's a challenge for my fellow YA librarians and me: how do we get this book into the hands of actual young adults?
Who I would recommend it to: fans of complex (and perhaps not logical) plots, readers that read based on setting/atmosphere, older middle schoolers and up (depending on the reader, of course,no sex, but quite a bit of violence). Adults who are fans of psychological thrillers and literary fiction set in multiple time periods.
Rating: 5 Stars
Format: Print
Pro's: I pretty much loved everything about this. The way it totally defied genre, the eerie feeling that pervaded the whole thing, the way the stories all subtly connected, the way I just couldn't quite figure it out, the recurring motifs.
Con's: No cons for me personally, though I would not recommend it to any readers who like books with a definite ending where all the strings are tied up. Another sad thing is that Sedgwick is a relatively unknown author. In my experience young adults don't seek out Printz award winners (or know what they are). So here's a challenge for my fellow YA librarians and me: how do we get this book into the hands of actual young adults?
Who I would recommend it to: fans of complex (and perhaps not logical) plots, readers that read based on setting/atmosphere, older middle schoolers and up (depending on the reader, of course,no sex, but quite a bit of violence). Adults who are fans of psychological thrillers and literary fiction set in multiple time periods.
Rating: 5 Stars
Having fallen into a bit of a lull in my reading after too many false starts with books that failed to grab me, finding Midwinterblood was a breath of deliciously weird fresh air. This was just the ticket for me: a story not only hauntingly sad in some parts, but creepy and imaginative the full way through. The story itself is relatively short and easily digestible, and although a bit confusing with its chronology, starts fitting the pieces together within the second act. I found myself looking forward to the end to see how the cycle of stories would end, and wasn't disappointed. Not bad, Sedgwick!
Wow. Shellshocked. Speechless. This book.
One island, seven stories, several centuries - and linking them all, two souls and one flower. I began this book the day of the Printz announcement; I'd put it on hold at my public library a week or so earlier because Daniel Kraus had tweeted about it as a Printz prediction. When I began reading, I loved the premise presented by the first character, Eric Seven - I didn't see how the jacket flap & descriptions of the book I had read would ever line up with what I'd just read... and then I reached the end of the first part. The upset I felt at transitioning from part one to part two, as I write this, reminds me of the upset I felt upon transitioning to David Tennant from Christopher Eccleston. As each book part came and went, I felt less and less connected - until I reached the near-exact midpoint of the book, and for some reason, fell completely down the rabbit hole that is this book. I couldn't stop reading. And then, crushingly, the book was over. It left me feeling like the only thing I could do was to start the book all over again; pick up pieces of the story in the beginning that I wouldn't have seen until I read the end; experience the language again; explore the pages. I haven't reread it yet... but I will. It's a hell of a Printz winner.
One island, seven stories, several centuries - and linking them all, two souls and one flower. I began this book the day of the Printz announcement; I'd put it on hold at my public library a week or so earlier because Daniel Kraus had tweeted about it as a Printz prediction. When I began reading, I loved the premise presented by the first character, Eric Seven - I didn't see how the jacket flap & descriptions of the book I had read would ever line up with what I'd just read... and then I reached the end of the first part. The upset I felt at transitioning from part one to part two, as I write this, reminds me of the upset I felt upon transitioning to David Tennant from Christopher Eccleston. As each book part came and went, I felt less and less connected - until I reached the near-exact midpoint of the book, and for some reason, fell completely down the rabbit hole that is this book. I couldn't stop reading. And then, crushingly, the book was over. It left me feeling like the only thing I could do was to start the book all over again; pick up pieces of the story in the beginning that I wouldn't have seen until I read the end; experience the language again; explore the pages. I haven't reread it yet... but I will. It's a hell of a Printz winner.
**Maybe more like 3.5 stars?**
This was an interesting book, and just like the last one I read, I really don't know what I think about this book. It was good, and made sense (eventually), but there were just some nagging things about it I'm still not totally sure about. This book focuses on Eric and Merle, and the seven different lives they have lived together. You are introduced to them in the year 2073 and the book ends at some unknown time, but way before the 10th century. It is a true love story that covers many kinds of love. You have romantic, male/female relationship and then also as mother/son, young child/old man, female lovers, and brother/sister. Interesting take on death and living many different lives where these two souls always seem to find each other. Is a 2014 Printz Award winner as well.
This was an interesting book, and just like the last one I read, I really don't know what I think about this book. It was good, and made sense (eventually), but there were just some nagging things about it I'm still not totally sure about. This book focuses on Eric and Merle, and the seven different lives they have lived together. You are introduced to them in the year 2073 and the book ends at some unknown time, but way before the 10th century. It is a true love story that covers many kinds of love. You have romantic, male/female relationship and then also as mother/son, young child/old man, female lovers, and brother/sister. Interesting take on death and living many different lives where these two souls always seem to find each other. Is a 2014 Printz Award winner as well.
interesting concept done in a cool way, but the explanation left something to be desired.
This is a great spooky/dark teen book that can be read in one sitting (if you can afford such a luxury). I don't know why but I've really been gravitating towards the dark fiction these days. Midwinterblood is a one complete novel but is told in varying short stories all of which take place on the same remote Scandinavian island, "Blessed", but in different time periods. The first story begins in 2073 and they gradually go backwards in time by centuries. Each story slowly reveals more and more of the mysterious history of the island culminating in the final bloody reveal. If you like the following ideas, this story might really appeal to you: isolated societies, sacrifice, vikings, archaeology, reincarnation.
Also, I wanted to point out, because I think this is important, that I absolutely dislike the cover of the edition I read. It is an awful representation of this book. In person, it looks a bit nicer as it has a cool holographic 'thing' over the girl's face but I think the overall look does not depict the story well as might alienate male readers. Though there is a foundational love story, I would not consider this a paranormal romance story - and I feel that is the look that the cover conveys.
For those who finish reading:
Midvinterblot
Also, I wanted to point out, because I think this is important, that I absolutely dislike the cover of the edition I read. It is an awful representation of this book. In person, it looks a bit nicer as it has a cool holographic 'thing' over the girl's face but I think the overall look does not depict the story well as might alienate male readers. Though there is a foundational love story, I would not consider this a paranormal romance story - and I feel that is the look that the cover conveys.
For those who finish reading:
Midvinterblot
I liked that this book was written differently, as it is written backward. It was entertaining and I read it quickly because I really wanted to know how everything came to be (since I knew the end since it's the beginning...). It is a love story in all it's different forms, which is also sweet, but also very tragic. I constantly wondered if the two spirits that kept meeting in different lives would ever be at peace together, so that was kind of frustrating. I would recommend this to people who Ike darker novels, with kind of a goth theme.
Reminded me of a mashup of Girl in Blue Hyacinth and My Name is Memory.
An interesting little book that was quite enjoyable! Very unique.