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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
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.
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I read this book in one day. One sitting!! Granted I had to read it as I’m teaching it next term but i was gripped. The non-chronological telling, the links across centuries, the two characters being such a strong thread throughout yet the initial premise being compelling. It is aimed at Year 8’s so I think that at times it was under developed (the end was abrupt and the catalyst for the story made sense but didn’t have the most satisfying conclusion). But I thoroughly enjoyed this easy and pensive read. It made me think about love, in all its forms, and also about life and how we lead it
Re-reading a fave to jumpstart my TBR for October-November.
✎﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏
First Read: ★★★★
This book is brilliant.
You'll understand everything in the end.
Or better yet, read all of it backwards and save the first chapter for last.
Highly recommended.
Second Read: ★★★★ 4.5
Just as memorable as the first time. Midwinterblood is the book I keep recommending people because it is so well-written yet sadly underrated. My favorite parts about the plot is when a detail is tied in to another time period but isn't revealed until later. It will always have a special place in my heart.
“I feel like we’ve done this before,” he says, intently. “But a long time ago. A very long time ago.”
She’s gone, under the water again.
Eric thinks about his life, something he usually avoids, because it has not always been an easy one. He wonders if a few moments of utter and total joy can be worth a lifetime of struggle.
Maybe, he thinks. Maybe, if they’re the right moments.
✎﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏
First Read: ★★★★
This book is brilliant.
You'll understand everything in the end.
Or better yet, read all of it backwards and save the first chapter for last.
Highly recommended.
Second Read: ★★★★ 4.5
Just as memorable as the first time. Midwinterblood is the book I keep recommending people because it is so well-written yet sadly underrated. My favorite parts about the plot is when a detail is tied in to another time period but isn't revealed until later. It will always have a special place in my heart.
“I feel like we’ve done this before,” he says, intently. “But a long time ago. A very long time ago.”
She’s gone, under the water again.
Eric thinks about his life, something he usually avoids, because it has not always been an easy one. He wonders if a few moments of utter and total joy can be worth a lifetime of struggle.
Maybe, he thinks. Maybe, if they’re the right moments.
This review was originally posted at Fluttering Butterflies
I am such a fan of Marcus Sedgwick and there's never been more apparent than after reading his latest offering, Midwinterblood. Such a beautiful, engrossing little book!
I was slightly confused as I started it, but mostly because I hadn't read a single thing about it beforehand, afraid of reading anything that might spoil the enjoyment of this book for me. But at it's heart, Midwinterblood is a kind of doomed and gothic love story. Told in seven parts, each corresponding to different phases of the moon and set over centuries, two souls, that of Eric and Merle, struggle to be reunited.
I really, really loved the layout of this story. I was constantly surprised the farther I read this book. I was expecting each of the parts to be narrated by either Eric or Merle, but it isn't the case and I totally didn't expect some of the events that happen.
I really love the way in which Marcus Sedgwick tells this story, I love the layering, as each new parts adds another element. I love the sweet relationship pairings - from mother and son to brother and sister, artist and subject. I love the different settings and circumstances that these characters find themself in. And I especially love the element of sacrifice and also how lasting and enduring love is over centuries.
But it is a Marcus Sedgwick novel, so of course there is a ritual sacrifice and Viking vampires and freaky memory-impairing plants. But everything is beautifully intertwined and sweet and sort of sad that I couldn't put Midwinterblood down for anything. I read the book in a single setting and I immediately wanted to read the book again. Instead, I finished the book and I just sat for awhile, letting everything sink in. It's a really wonderful story, one that I recommend. You will be convinced after reading it that you really must pick up more of Marcus Sedgwick's books. I guarantee it.
I am such a fan of Marcus Sedgwick and there's never been more apparent than after reading his latest offering, Midwinterblood. Such a beautiful, engrossing little book!
I was slightly confused as I started it, but mostly because I hadn't read a single thing about it beforehand, afraid of reading anything that might spoil the enjoyment of this book for me. But at it's heart, Midwinterblood is a kind of doomed and gothic love story. Told in seven parts, each corresponding to different phases of the moon and set over centuries, two souls, that of Eric and Merle, struggle to be reunited.
I really, really loved the layout of this story. I was constantly surprised the farther I read this book. I was expecting each of the parts to be narrated by either Eric or Merle, but it isn't the case and I totally didn't expect some of the events that happen.
I really love the way in which Marcus Sedgwick tells this story, I love the layering, as each new parts adds another element. I love the sweet relationship pairings - from mother and son to brother and sister, artist and subject. I love the different settings and circumstances that these characters find themself in. And I especially love the element of sacrifice and also how lasting and enduring love is over centuries.
But it is a Marcus Sedgwick novel, so of course there is a ritual sacrifice and Viking vampires and freaky memory-impairing plants. But everything is beautifully intertwined and sweet and sort of sad that I couldn't put Midwinterblood down for anything. I read the book in a single setting and I immediately wanted to read the book again. Instead, I finished the book and I just sat for awhile, letting everything sink in. It's a really wonderful story, one that I recommend. You will be convinced after reading it that you really must pick up more of Marcus Sedgwick's books. I guarantee it.
4.5 stars
I absolutely adored this book. Every word built the story in evocative and beautiful ways. But... it is not in any way a YA book. Not that there is objectionable things - there wasn't. Sedgwick uses his words to describe rather than relying on obscenities (which I greatly appreciate). There was no sex - true love lasting for centuries yes. I just can't understand why it was labeled as YA. I know that Sedgwick has written YA novels in the past, but that shouldn't mean an automatic label.
It is beautiful, classic and touching - something that should be savored. It is a quick read, but I found myself slowing down to enjoy certain passages and to make the experience last longer. I haven't read any other books by Sedgwick, but I will certainly be bumping up his other novels in my TBR list. I am not one for re-reading books very often, but this book is one that I look forward to reading again.
I absolutely adored this book. Every word built the story in evocative and beautiful ways. But... it is not in any way a YA book. Not that there is objectionable things - there wasn't. Sedgwick uses his words to describe rather than relying on obscenities (which I greatly appreciate). There was no sex - true love lasting for centuries yes. I just can't understand why it was labeled as YA. I know that Sedgwick has written YA novels in the past, but that shouldn't mean an automatic label.
It is beautiful, classic and touching - something that should be savored. It is a quick read, but I found myself slowing down to enjoy certain passages and to make the experience last longer. I haven't read any other books by Sedgwick, but I will certainly be bumping up his other novels in my TBR list. I am not one for re-reading books very often, but this book is one that I look forward to reading again.
This book is a series of interconnected stories in which the stories move us further into the past in order to explain the future. The chapters were bite-sized, and the mysteries intriguing enough to keep the papers flying. My favorite aspect of the book was the way in which each chapter acted as a fresh synecdoche for the whole book; with each chapter you could look at the rest of the stories in an entirely new light. For example, after the second chapter I started understanding the book as a kind of archaeological dig, while the third made me pay attention to the interactions between the outside world and Blessed. I liked the book very much, but the stories were so short that I'm afraid none of them will stay with me for very long after reading it.
When Midwinterblood (or Midwinter Blood, depending upon the edition you view) by Marcus Sedgwick was announced as the 2014 Printz winner, I decided I’d read and review it despite its lackluster cover and dull description. After all, I’ve read books with worse covers and had other books surprise me, and this book had enough of a following to secure one of the top awards a young adult book could receive.
The book begins with a reporter, Eric, heading to a small, obscure island known as Blessed Island. Eric’s age isn’t given, but one must assume he’s a bit older, especially when reading lines such as: “…in all his years of using OneDegree on so many solitary journeys around the world…;” it is implied that this man isn’t a wet-behind-the-ears newbie. It’s the year 2073, although the reference to a non-existent phone app is the primary indication that things are any different from present day. When he arrives at the Blessed Island, where technology is at a minimum and cell phone signals are absent, he meets a ton of strange people, including Merle, with whom he instantly falls in love.
Thus begins the book, which consists of seven short stories in reverse-chronological order. Eric and Merle are reincarnated in each story, and sometimes they’re loosely connected, such as Merle being the daughter of an airman rescued by Erik and his family on Blessed Island during World War II, or sometimes they’re very close, such as when Eirik and Melle are siblings in the 10th century. (To be honest, it is kind of unpleasant to think they’re reincarnated from past lovers, only to be mother and son, siblings, or old man and neighbor’s young daughter later on. Fortunately, there is absolutely zero romance between Eric and Merle in any of the stories other than the first and final ones.)
All but the second to last story are told in third person, and all of them are detached and emotionless. Even the first-person narrative has the cadence of a fairy tale or legend. The reader is unable to connect to the story, not even when one character faces sacrifice or when another realizes her brother is gone forever. The final tale of blood sacrifice and the epilogue that mirrors it are told coldly and dispassionately.
When viewing Midwinterblood in its entirety, I must question why it won the Printz award, out of so many other possible novels. It’s not that it was poorly written; the prose was lyrical and beautifully descriptive, and it flowed smoothly from one sentence to the next. Although I personally was bored, I can definitely see how some might enjoy, or even love, this book. However, I must question the audience for which the book was written. Few of Eric and Merle’s incarnations are teenagers (or even children), and I cannot think of a single teenager to whom I would consider recommending this novel.** When a book’s target audience would show little interest in a novel, can we still consider the book a success? If this novel had been written for adults, perhaps I would not question its worthiness of a prestigious award. However, because this is a book targeted for young adults, I must conclude that it fails to achieve what should be its primary goal – entertaining and engaging teens.
** I couldn’t even recommend it to teens who are looking for books with high Lexile scores, a savior for some more tedious novels, because the Lexile is 770. It’s not that I think Lexile is necessary valid measurement of a book’s worth, but some teens are instructed by misguided teachers to find texts within a certain range.
The book begins with a reporter, Eric, heading to a small, obscure island known as Blessed Island. Eric’s age isn’t given, but one must assume he’s a bit older, especially when reading lines such as: “…in all his years of using OneDegree on so many solitary journeys around the world…;” it is implied that this man isn’t a wet-behind-the-ears newbie. It’s the year 2073, although the reference to a non-existent phone app is the primary indication that things are any different from present day. When he arrives at the Blessed Island, where technology is at a minimum and cell phone signals are absent, he meets a ton of strange people, including Merle, with whom he instantly falls in love.
Thus begins the book, which consists of seven short stories in reverse-chronological order. Eric and Merle are reincarnated in each story, and sometimes they’re loosely connected, such as Merle being the daughter of an airman rescued by Erik and his family on Blessed Island during World War II, or sometimes they’re very close, such as when Eirik and Melle are siblings in the 10th century. (To be honest, it is kind of unpleasant to think they’re reincarnated from past lovers, only to be mother and son, siblings, or old man and neighbor’s young daughter later on. Fortunately, there is absolutely zero romance between Eric and Merle in any of the stories other than the first and final ones.)
All but the second to last story are told in third person, and all of them are detached and emotionless. Even the first-person narrative has the cadence of a fairy tale or legend. The reader is unable to connect to the story, not even when one character faces sacrifice or when another realizes her brother is gone forever. The final tale of blood sacrifice and the epilogue that mirrors it are told coldly and dispassionately.
When viewing Midwinterblood in its entirety, I must question why it won the Printz award, out of so many other possible novels. It’s not that it was poorly written; the prose was lyrical and beautifully descriptive, and it flowed smoothly from one sentence to the next. Although I personally was bored, I can definitely see how some might enjoy, or even love, this book. However, I must question the audience for which the book was written. Few of Eric and Merle’s incarnations are teenagers (or even children), and I cannot think of a single teenager to whom I would consider recommending this novel.** When a book’s target audience would show little interest in a novel, can we still consider the book a success? If this novel had been written for adults, perhaps I would not question its worthiness of a prestigious award. However, because this is a book targeted for young adults, I must conclude that it fails to achieve what should be its primary goal – entertaining and engaging teens.
** I couldn’t even recommend it to teens who are looking for books with high Lexile scores, a savior for some more tedious novels, because the Lexile is 770. It’s not that I think Lexile is necessary valid measurement of a book’s worth, but some teens are instructed by misguided teachers to find texts within a certain range.
Actual rating: ALL the stars.
After reading White Crow by Marcus Sedgwick last year, I knew he was an author I’d have to look out for. White Crow was simply stunning. It was horrifying and brutal and beautiful, and I just knew that Sedgwick’s work was special. Now, after finishing Midwinterblood he is my new favorite author.
That’s right, I went there. Marcus Sedgwick is my favorite author, and really he should be yours too.
Midwinterblood is seven short stories, spanning over centuries, all set on the Scandinavian island, Blessed. Each story is a totally different beast from the next one, but they are all connected by the island and other common threads. There is the tale of a journalist sent to investigate the rumors of the immortal Blessed citizens; an older painter wasting away from grief; a fighter pilot; a viking; an archeologist; and more. Each was a fascinating read and I kept trying to figure out the connection, to get to the very root of the story and to finally, finally piece together the real identities of Merle and Eric.
The writing in Midwinterblood was phenomenal, masterful. Sedgwick has a way of writing horror that is not gory or in your face. It’s a subtle kind of terrifying, where the unknown is somehow even more horrible than what is there in front of you. More than once my heart was beating out of chest, and yet nothing scary had actually happened: it was the anticipation and the mystery, the wanting to know, but not really wanting to know, for the truth might be even worse than the imagined.
When I finally came to the end of the novel and all the tiny pieces clicked into place I was in shock. And awe. It was so beautiful and so final and so open all at the same time. I don’t remember the last time I felt so wowed by an ending. But it was like putting together a puzzle and not knowing what it’s supposed to look like; then suddenly, and not until you put that last piece in its spot, it’s all bright and vivid and so, so rewarding.
Fans of horror, reincarnation, historical fiction, and love tested by time will adore Sedgwick’s Midwinterblood. I truly believe this book has something for everyone, and barely passing 250 pages, it is a quick, mysterious book that begs to be read.
After reading White Crow by Marcus Sedgwick last year, I knew he was an author I’d have to look out for. White Crow was simply stunning. It was horrifying and brutal and beautiful, and I just knew that Sedgwick’s work was special. Now, after finishing Midwinterblood he is my new favorite author.
That’s right, I went there. Marcus Sedgwick is my favorite author, and really he should be yours too.
Midwinterblood is seven short stories, spanning over centuries, all set on the Scandinavian island, Blessed. Each story is a totally different beast from the next one, but they are all connected by the island and other common threads. There is the tale of a journalist sent to investigate the rumors of the immortal Blessed citizens; an older painter wasting away from grief; a fighter pilot; a viking; an archeologist; and more. Each was a fascinating read and I kept trying to figure out the connection, to get to the very root of the story and to finally, finally piece together the real identities of Merle and Eric.
The writing in Midwinterblood was phenomenal, masterful. Sedgwick has a way of writing horror that is not gory or in your face. It’s a subtle kind of terrifying, where the unknown is somehow even more horrible than what is there in front of you. More than once my heart was beating out of chest, and yet nothing scary had actually happened: it was the anticipation and the mystery, the wanting to know, but not really wanting to know, for the truth might be even worse than the imagined.
When I finally came to the end of the novel and all the tiny pieces clicked into place I was in shock. And awe. It was so beautiful and so final and so open all at the same time. I don’t remember the last time I felt so wowed by an ending. But it was like putting together a puzzle and not knowing what it’s supposed to look like; then suddenly, and not until you put that last piece in its spot, it’s all bright and vivid and so, so rewarding.
Fans of horror, reincarnation, historical fiction, and love tested by time will adore Sedgwick’s Midwinterblood. I truly believe this book has something for everyone, and barely passing 250 pages, it is a quick, mysterious book that begs to be read.
Well that was interesting. It was odd but explained itself. I liked it.