Midwinterblood by Marcus Sedgwick

Review of Midwinterblood by Marcus Sedgwick published by Roaring Brook PressMidwinterblood
Author: Marcus Sedgwick
Category: Young Adult
Format: ARC
Publisher: Roaring Brook
Release Date: 5-5-13
Seven stories of passion and love separated by centuries but mysteriously intertwined—this is a tale of horror and beauty, tenderness and sacrifice. An archaeologist who unearths a mysterious artifact, an airman who finds himself far from home, a painter, a ghost, a vampire, and a Viking: the seven stories in this compelling novel all take place on the remote Scandinavian island of Blessed where a curiously powerful plant that resembles a dragon grows. What binds these stories together? What secrets lurk beneath the surface of this idyllic countryside? And what might be powerful enough to break the cycle of midwinterblood? From award-winning author Marcus Sedgwick comes a book about passion and preservation and ultimately an exploration of the bounds of love. – Goodreads

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Midwinterblood was different from anything I have read lately, and I found that to be extremely refreshing.  As the description tells you, there are multiple stories in this book that start in the future and work their way back, almost like an excavation in story form.  Each story features two central characters that have a relationship in each life, but not in the way that you might imagine.  Yes, they are sometimes romantically involved, but in other lives they are connected in different ways.  So, this book slowly pieces together not only the central relationship of the two protagonists, but the small aspects of their lives that survive over the centuries.  It was wonderfully done and I loved the way the story slowly came together as the book progressed.

Within each story was, what I felt to be, an examination of sacrifice in relationships.  As the same two people meet in each life, a sacrifice of some kind is always required.  I found that to be one of the most fascinating aspects of this book.  To love someone is to require sacrifice, or to at least be willing to sacrifice, and all of these stories held that idea in ways that were sometimes brutal and sometimes beautifully heartbreaking.  Each sacrifice carried over into the next life, but that doesn’t really become evident until the last chapter when the reader finally comes to the origin story at the end.  That was the cool thing about starting in the future and going back; it gave a very unique view of all of the stories and it made me want to go back and read it again.  This is one of those books that might not get a lot of attention, but it really deserves to be read.  If you are looking for a book that is different, brilliantly constructed, and beautifully written, I highly recommend Midwinterblood.
I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Find Marcus Sedgwick online:
Website
Twitter

signature_exlibris

Kate

Share:

33 responses to “Midwinterblood by Marcus Sedgwick

  1. Do you ever read someone else’s review for a book you also loved and then bang your head against the wall because omg you didn’t even think of the really obvious theme they pointed out? I recognized sacrifice here, but I didn’t see it as the theme throughout all stories as it obviously was!

  2. I’m going to read this soon (hopefully tomorrow!) so I’m super excited to hear such good things about it. It sounds dark and beautiful, my kind of story.

  3. Wow, I am in love with that premise! So unique. And it really sounds like it was executed well and had a strong message. I really want to read this one now!!

  4. This book does sound unique and also very good. I love the idea of sacrifice in relationships being explored. I’ll definitely have to keep this on the to-read list!

  5. Wow, this book sounds amazing! I don’t know how this slipped my radar until now. I love Marcus, and adored White Crow.

    “different, brilliantly constructed and beautifully written” <--that is pretty much my perfect book description. Thanks for your lovely review! 🙂

  6. I thought this book was so interesting! I definitely ended up liking it a whole lot more than I thought I would. It was such an intriguing, unique read – and it’s definitely something I haven’t seen done before.

  7. The Absent Game…

    Amongst me and my husband we’ve owned far more MP3 players through the years than I can count, together with Sansas, iRivers, iPods (classic & touch), the Ibiza Rhapsody, etc. But, the last few several years I’ve settled down to one line of gamers….

  8. The Absent Game…

    Involving me and my husband we’ve owned a lot more MP3 players over time than I can count, together with Sansas, iRivers, iPods (traditional & touch), the Ibiza Rhapsody, etc. But, the last few years I’ve settled down to one line of players….

  9. free general web directory…

    Amongst me and my husband we’ve owned additional MP3 gamers over time than I can count, like Sansas, iRivers, iPods (common & touch), the Ibiza Rhapsody, etc. But, the last few several years I’ve settled down to one line of players….

  10. good laptops…

    I think technological know-how just causes it to be worse. Now there’s a channel to never ever treatment, now there will not be considered a possibility for them to find out….

  11. free seo service…

    My wife and i are already now delighted that Albert could execute his studies as a result of the ideas he had via your online page. It’s every so often perplexing to simply constantly be giving away measures which some people might have been providing…

  12. marina apple aurum north one residences…

    Concerning me and my husband we have owned extra MP3 gamers over time than I can count, such as Sansas, iRivers, iPods (classic & touch), the Ibiza Rhapsody, etc. But, the last few many years I’ve settled down to one line of gamers….

  13. You should check this out…

    […] Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a few unrelated data, nevertheless really worth taking a look, whoa did one learn about Mid East has got more problerms as well […]……

Leave a Reply

(Enter your URL then click here to include a link to one of your blog posts.)

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.