Bloodsong
Binding: Paperback
Imprint: Andersen Press
Age 12+
Traditional Stories Fantasy & Magical Realism
Love. Hate. So what? It's family. It's business.'
Fifteen-year-old Sigurd, son of King Sigmund, is the last surviving member of the Volson clan. His father’s kingdom – the former city of London – is gone. And his father’s knife, a gift from the gods, has been shattered to dust.
Armed with a powerful sword forged from the remnants of the knife, Sigurd faces death, fire and torment as he travels through Hel and back to unite his country once again.
Packed with political intrigue and violence, love, lust and family feuds, Bloodsong is perfect for fans of Game of Thrones.
'Burgess's great triumph is not so much in inventing new stories as in finding fresh ways of retelling the ones that are themselves in danger of falling into extinction' Guardian
'A gripping story of horrific proportions from a prize-winning author' - Publishing News
'Teenage boys with strong stomachs should enjoy it' - Independent on Sunday
'A thrillingly readable and evocative narrative' - Daily Telegraph
Creators
Melvin Burgess published his first book for children, Cry of the Wolf, in 1990 and has since gone on to win the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize, the Carnegie medal, and many others. He has been described as 'a writer of the highest quality' (The Times) and is regarded as one of the best children's writers of our time.
Reviews
A work of mind-bending imagination and power . . . A must-read for all fantasy fans
Julia Eccleshare, Lovereading
A gripping story of horrific proportions from a prize-winning author.’
Publishing News
Dark and tragic as it frequently is, nevertheless pulses with the intensity of lives richly lived and experiences richly recaptured.
Irish Times
Bloodtide was good. This is better. It’s the best thing I’ve read by Melvin Burgess. . . This is a novel that matches the power of its ancient inspiration and remakes it for another time.
Books for Keeps
Burgess’s great triumph is not so much in inventing new stories as in finding fresh ways of retelling the ones that are themselves in danger of falling into extinction.
Guardian
Burgess’ imagination is amazing – he takes you to the brink every time.
The Bookseller
. . .this is more than a vivid story, full of passion, intrigue and terrifying violence. It is also beautifully wrought.
Glasglow Herald
Powerfully imagined, eloquently told, this is a well-crafted mix of myth, magic, real science fiction and human emotion.
Carousel
In Burgess’s hands, fantasy is far from fanciful. He’s updated the legends with relish, creating a world thick with invention and contemporary resonance.
Manchester Evening News
A gripping story of horrific proportions.
www.amazon.co.uk
Based on the same Nordic saga as the award-winning BLOODTIDE, this is another riveting story.’
The Bookseller
Mature readers will find this highly original and bold work to be gripping, well written, enthralling, cautionary and unflinching.’
Inis
Brilliantly written and, at just a little over 300 pages brilliantly edited – one of the very best books of the year.’
Achuka Children's Books
The story abounds with treachery, evil and violence. It reveals the best and the worst in human beings but is also the stuff of nightmares. . . will appeal to anyone who enjoys a good story told by a gifted writer.’
bbc reviews
A gritty and gripping urban fantasy.’
New Books
Compelling story . . . It is full of gods, dragons, kings and murder.
www.newsandstar.co.uk
good imagery, fast paced action, and interesting description.
Scottish Sunday Herald
Mature readers will find this highly original and bold work to be gripping, well written, enthralling, cautionary and unflinching.
INIS
Teenage boys with strong stomachs should enjoy it.
Independent on Sunday
Scandinavian saga and futuristic fantasy combine in a frightening, explicit novel of scientific ‘progress’ and human vulnerability.
Irish Times
Burgess mediates modern angst, rage and violence through the mirror of the Nodic Volsunga saga
Irish Sunday Independent
Burgess mixes myth, magic and science fiction in this powerfully imagined tale of love and destruction, reincarnation and revenge.
Irish News
a thrillingly readable and evocative narrative
Daily Telegraph
Burgess draws on the brilliant but neglected Volsunga Saga, giving it a contemporary relevance..unforgettable characters and the power of his storytelling make this a winner.
Glasgow Herald
Told in a direct fashion which pulls you in, daring you not to finish the page and turn over to find what happens next.
School Librarian
Bloodtide and Bloodsong make The Hunger Games and its clones seem like drippy entertainments for bed-wetters and pillow-huggers.
Anthony McGowan, Guardian
