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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
I have never read anything by Marcus Sedgwick before but I found his name on a must-read author list and decided to look up a few of his books. This one called out to me with the theme of reincarnation. I really like the concept of people coming back to find each other after untimely deaths or just the thought that the people you love will come back in different roles in your next life. This book was so damn cool. I do not know how else to sing praises for this beautiful piece of work. I have not read anything quite like it.
If you know nothing about this book, it is written as a series of short stories that are past incarnations of the two characters that started it all. You start off in the most "recent" story being set in 2073 on a mysterious island. In each story, you learn details that tie the entire saga together. You learn about the island, about legends, about sacrifices made, etc. But in each story, the two main characters are present though usually in different relation to each other.
I loved the eerie mystery to this book. It was written quite elegantly but was an easy read in terms of flowery language or descriptions. I felt like I was present in each story line, but at the same time the book is on the shorter side in terms of word count. It is a fast read because of how it is written. I know I found myself saying, just one more story... ok. for real, one more! Truly addicting and it has made me a fan of Marcus Sedgwick.
If you know nothing about this book, it is written as a series of short stories that are past incarnations of the two characters that started it all. You start off in the most "recent" story being set in 2073 on a mysterious island. In each story, you learn details that tie the entire saga together. You learn about the island, about legends, about sacrifices made, etc. But in each story, the two main characters are present though usually in different relation to each other.
I loved the eerie mystery to this book. It was written quite elegantly but was an easy read in terms of flowery language or descriptions. I felt like I was present in each story line, but at the same time the book is on the shorter side in terms of word count. It is a fast read because of how it is written. I know I found myself saying, just one more story... ok. for real, one more! Truly addicting and it has made me a fan of Marcus Sedgwick.
Read 6/5/15
Woven throughout many generations it follows the eternal forbidden love of Erik and Merle.
Woven throughout many generations it follows the eternal forbidden love of Erik and Merle.
I don't think this kind of book would be as good as it is if the author wasn't Marcus Sedgwick. Reincarnation is a nice plot device, but most books fail to bring it out to its best potential.
Marcus Sedgwick, however, does not disappoint. Most authors would go for ambitious approach, but I find Sedgwick's approach to be humble and wise. I got teary-eyed, I cried in multiple parts, because the stories ring true to me. It's careful and beautiful, and even though it's tragic and bloody at times, I find myself charmed by it.
This is my first book by him. Definitely not going to be the last.
EDIT : WAIT A SECOND. HOW IS THIS BOOK YA???? YOUNG ADULT??? ARE YOU SERIOUS???
Marcus Sedgwick, however, does not disappoint. Most authors would go for ambitious approach, but I find Sedgwick's approach to be humble and wise. I got teary-eyed, I cried in multiple parts, because the stories ring true to me. It's careful and beautiful, and even though it's tragic and bloody at times, I find myself charmed by it.
This is my first book by him. Definitely not going to be the last.
EDIT : WAIT A SECOND. HOW IS THIS BOOK YA???? YOUNG ADULT??? ARE YOU SERIOUS???
Seven linked stories set on a Scandinavian island. How do the stories relate? Eric and Merle are reincarnated repeatedly and have different relationships in each story. Not my favortie
I wanted to like the book more than I did. It was okay but the ending was unsatisfactory. The seperate stories made sense but I wanted them tied closer together. I kept hoping for a pretty bow at the end and all I ended up with was a big was of crinkled paper and a look of dissapointment as if I just got socks for Christmas.
My first 5-star rating of 2014!
Midwinterblood just was announced as the winner of the 2014 Printz award, and it's absolutely well-deserved. The only confusing bit for me is why this book is considered young adult fiction -- there's nothing about the plot that would seem to make it more a YA book than a general adult title.
In any case, Midwinterblood is a truly beautiful and mesmerizing book, telling the story of two people bound together over time. As the seven connected stories that make up this novel unfold in reverse chronology, we see the two find and lose one another over and over again, through tragedy, war, forbidden love, and sacrifice.
The writing is chilling and beautiful, full of loss and discovery. Midwinterblood is unusual and an unforgettable read. Don't miss it.
(My full review is posted at Bookshelf Fantasies.)
Midwinterblood just was announced as the winner of the 2014 Printz award, and it's absolutely well-deserved. The only confusing bit for me is why this book is considered young adult fiction -- there's nothing about the plot that would seem to make it more a YA book than a general adult title.
In any case, Midwinterblood is a truly beautiful and mesmerizing book, telling the story of two people bound together over time. As the seven connected stories that make up this novel unfold in reverse chronology, we see the two find and lose one another over and over again, through tragedy, war, forbidden love, and sacrifice.
The writing is chilling and beautiful, full of loss and discovery. Midwinterblood is unusual and an unforgettable read. Don't miss it.
(My full review is posted at Bookshelf Fantasies.)
This was weird. Dragged at the start, never really felt connected to the characters, but the overall plot was sweet and the concept is kind of cool. Ending wasn’t particularly satisfying, and if I were to read again I’d probably stop at the end of part 5.
I appreciated that there was a gay section, but I really don’t see any point in why it needed to be made a ‘twist’? Also, with the historical context of that setting, not even sure the story given entirely makes sense with that. Why couldn’t you just say upfront that it was queer?
I appreciated that there was a gay section, but I really don’t see any point in why it needed to be made a ‘twist’? Also, with the historical context of that setting, not even sure the story given entirely makes sense with that. Why couldn’t you just say upfront that it was queer?
Honestly, I really enjoyed Sedgwick's novel of love and loss across centuries. Reminding me a bit of a personal favorite, Cloud Atlas, I enjoyed the process of making the connections between the stories, tracing the threads from time period to time period, and seeing the puzzle pieces click into place. Segwick's sense of place grounds the novel, and his characters are quickly engaging. It's a smooth, quick, and enjoyable read with lots to tease out in discussion. My only question is why a teen novel? Few of the characters are teens or have any connection to specifically teen emotions and experiences. Is it just because of the theme of love conquering time (which could be considered a rather teenage sentiment)? I do think it's accessible for teens, but I'm not sure why it has to be for teens. I'd recommend it to fans of Margo Lanagan and other intelligent fiction that doesn't feel like it's written for teens - and to adult readers as well. Effortlessly artful and interesting, I think it has broad appeal, but probably won't interest those teens that really seek out teen emotions and experiences (read: angst and sweet romance).
I was constantly trying to figure out what the heck I was reading. This might lead you to believe I had a negative reaction to it, but that is simply not true.
I fell in love with Sedgwick's style quite quickly.
One of the reasons this book was not a 5/5 was because I felt like the final chapter(s) went over my head . . .
I fell in love with Sedgwick's style quite quickly.
One of the reasons this book was not a 5/5 was because I felt like the final chapter(s) went over my head . . .
Intense and tragic. It reads like a fairy tale or legend. Beautiful, simple and simultaneously complex. Each story woven on top of another but coming full circle. A reminder of how stories were once told.