On Roanoke Island, the legend of the 114 people who vanished from the Lost Colony hundreds of years ago is just an outdoor drama for the tourists. But when the island faces the sudden disappearance of 114 people now, an unlikely pair of 17-year-olds may be the only hope of bringing them back. Miranda, a misfit girl from the island's most infamous family, and Phillips, an exiled teen criminal who hears the voices of the dead, must dodge everyone from federal agents to long-dead alchemists as they work to uncover the secrets of the new Lost Colony. The one thing they can't dodge is each other.
Blackwood
and over 1.5 million other books are available for Amazon Kindle . Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. Special Offer until June 30, 2013: Receive an additional £5 promotional Gift Certificate, when you trade-in at least £10 worth of books. Learn more. |
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Product Description
Review
This haunting, romantic mystery intrigues, chills, and captivates." --New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Leitich Smith - "With whip-smart, instantly likable characters and a gothic small-town setting, Bond weaves a dark and gorgeous tapestry from America's oldest mystery." - Scott Westerfeld, New York Times bestselling author of the Leviathan series - "A deft and clever debut! Bond takes some reliably great elements -- a family curse, the mark of Cain, the old and endlessly fascinating mystery of the Roanoke Colony -- and makes them into something delightfully, surprisingly new. How does she do that? I suspect witchcraft." - Karen Joy Fowler, New York Times bestselling author of The Jane Austen Book Club - "Weird, wise and witty, Blackwood is great fun." --Marcus Sedgwick (shortlisted on 4 occasions for the Carnegie Medal, shortlisted for the Guardian Children's Award and won the Booktrust Teen Award) - "Miranda Blackwood's battle against her own history is utterly modern -- and utterly marvelous. She's truly a heroine all readers can rally behind." - Micol Ostow, author of family and So Punk Rock
About the Author
Gwenda Bond is a contributing writer for Publishers Weekly and regularly reviews for Locus. Her nonfiction work has also appeared in the Washington Post, Lightspeed, and Strange Horizons, among others, and she guest-edited a special YA issue for Subterranean Online. She holds an MFA in Writing from the Vermont College of Fine Arts' program in writing for children and young adults. Readers of Lady Churchill's Rosebud Wristlet may know her as everyone's Dear Aunt Gwenda. She lives in a hundred-year-old house in Lexington, Kentucky, with her husband, author Christopher Rowe, and their menagerie: Hemingway the Cat, Polydactyl, LLC; Miss Emma the Dog-Girl, CPA; and Puck the Puppy, INC. This is her first novel.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Gwenda Bond's YA debut Blackwood is based on the true story of the Lost Colony of Roanoke Island. Now I have to admit that I knew practically nothing about the legend of Roanoke before starting this book, the little I did know actually came from another popular YA book but since I didn't really enjoy that story I was never inspired to look up more information about the legend. That all changed when I read Blackwood though and I've since spend some time looking into the facts surrounding the Lost Colony. It's hard enough to imagine an entire colony of 114 people vanishing back in the 1500's but fast forward to the present day on Roanoke and imagine that another 114 people vanish overnight. Where have they gone? Has someone taken them? Is it just a big publicity stunt or are the rest of the islanders in danger? Those are just some of the questions that will come to mind when you start reading Blackwood.
I absolutely loved the way Gwenda Bond has taken a real historical incident and recreated it in modern times. We will never know what really happened on Roanoke back in 1587 but our main characters Miranda and Phillips have a chance at uncovering the mystery behind the current disappearances and their investigation had me hooked from the first page. The author has created and engaging story full of historical detail (with a supernatural twist), modern small town life and a great cast of characters and it is a story I'd highly recommend. The story is told from both Miranda and Phillips point of view in alternating chapters but I loved the way occasional small sections are also told by some of the missing people and their families.
Miranda is the town outcast, her family is looked down upon by the other permanent residents of the island and they are considered cursed.... Read more ›
I absolutely loved the way Gwenda Bond has taken a real historical incident and recreated it in modern times. We will never know what really happened on Roanoke back in 1587 but our main characters Miranda and Phillips have a chance at uncovering the mystery behind the current disappearances and their investigation had me hooked from the first page. The author has created and engaging story full of historical detail (with a supernatural twist), modern small town life and a great cast of characters and it is a story I'd highly recommend. The story is told from both Miranda and Phillips point of view in alternating chapters but I loved the way occasional small sections are also told by some of the missing people and their families.
Miranda is the town outcast, her family is looked down upon by the other permanent residents of the island and they are considered cursed.... Read more ›
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Pablo Cheesecake (The Eloquent Page)
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
On Roanoke Island, the legend of the 114 people who mysteriously vanished from the Lost Colony hundreds of years ago is just an outdoor drama for the tourists, a story people tell. But when the island faces the sudden disappearance of 114 people now, an unlikely pair of 17-year-olds may be the only hope of bringing them back.
Miranda, a misfit girl from the island's most infamous family, and Phillips, an exiled teen criminal who hears the voices of the dead, must dodge everyone from federal agents to long-dead alchemists as they work to uncover the secrets of the new Lost Colony. The one thing they can't dodge is each other.
Bond's writing perfectly captures the uncertainty in Miranda's character. Due to the Blackwood family curse, she has been ostracised by many of the townsfolk, young and old alike. They all consider her bad luck and not worthy of their time. Rather than give in to this, Miranda has developed a determined streak that keeps her driven to uncover the truth.
The other main character is Philips Rawlings. He has spent a long time away from Roanoke trying to escape powers that he doesn't fully understand. His return to the island is prompted by a request from his father, the local police chief. Can Philips overcome his own fears and harness his `gift' to locate the missing islanders?
One of the core components of Blackwood is the relationship between Miranda and Philips. It comes across as genuine, and as the story continues there is a noticeable evolution between the two characters. Everything that happens between the two seem very organic and unforced. The author manages to effectively convey that awkwardness that comes with teenage interactions, and it makes the conversations between the two flow quite naturally.... Read more ›
Miranda, a misfit girl from the island's most infamous family, and Phillips, an exiled teen criminal who hears the voices of the dead, must dodge everyone from federal agents to long-dead alchemists as they work to uncover the secrets of the new Lost Colony. The one thing they can't dodge is each other.
Bond's writing perfectly captures the uncertainty in Miranda's character. Due to the Blackwood family curse, she has been ostracised by many of the townsfolk, young and old alike. They all consider her bad luck and not worthy of their time. Rather than give in to this, Miranda has developed a determined streak that keeps her driven to uncover the truth.
The other main character is Philips Rawlings. He has spent a long time away from Roanoke trying to escape powers that he doesn't fully understand. His return to the island is prompted by a request from his father, the local police chief. Can Philips overcome his own fears and harness his `gift' to locate the missing islanders?
One of the core components of Blackwood is the relationship between Miranda and Philips. It comes across as genuine, and as the story continues there is a noticeable evolution between the two characters. Everything that happens between the two seem very organic and unforced. The author manages to effectively convey that awkwardness that comes with teenage interactions, and it makes the conversations between the two flow quite naturally.... Read more ›
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This was a magical and mystical debut by author Gwenda Bond. It reminded me of Shakespeare's `The Tempest' and not just because of the fact that the central protagonist is called Miranda and the action takes place on an island where mysterious events occur.
Featuring a Battlestar Galactica loving heroine and a teen who hears the voices of the dead, `Blackwood' had me intrigued from the word go. Extremely unique and original, the story drew me in until I was just as immersed in the mystery of the island as all the characters.
The plot is inspired by Roanake Island's history and a legend involving the disappearance of 114 people from the Lost Colony. I thought the meshing of elements of history with a modern day setting was really clever and the story was fresh and exciting. I had no idea what was going to happen but I had fun finding out! The unpredictable nature of events in the book meant that I thoroughly enjoyed the element of surprise and read it expecting almost anything to happen.
Even when I put the briefly put the book down, I couldn't stop thinking about it. As the story only takes place over a few days, there was a frantic feel about it with things quickly spiralling out of control and this lended itself nicely to the gripping and intense mood of the writing.
`Blackwood' is a terrific addition to the young-adult genre. Absolutely captivating, I loved not only the growing romance between misfits Miranda and Phillips but also the danger and intrigue of the events which unravelled on the island. The book was different to anything else I've read in recent months and Gwenda Bond is certainly an author I'll be keeping my eye on.
Featuring a Battlestar Galactica loving heroine and a teen who hears the voices of the dead, `Blackwood' had me intrigued from the word go. Extremely unique and original, the story drew me in until I was just as immersed in the mystery of the island as all the characters.
The plot is inspired by Roanake Island's history and a legend involving the disappearance of 114 people from the Lost Colony. I thought the meshing of elements of history with a modern day setting was really clever and the story was fresh and exciting. I had no idea what was going to happen but I had fun finding out! The unpredictable nature of events in the book meant that I thoroughly enjoyed the element of surprise and read it expecting almost anything to happen.
Even when I put the briefly put the book down, I couldn't stop thinking about it. As the story only takes place over a few days, there was a frantic feel about it with things quickly spiralling out of control and this lended itself nicely to the gripping and intense mood of the writing.
`Blackwood' is a terrific addition to the young-adult genre. Absolutely captivating, I loved not only the growing romance between misfits Miranda and Phillips but also the danger and intrigue of the events which unravelled on the island. The book was different to anything else I've read in recent months and Gwenda Bond is certainly an author I'll be keeping my eye on.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 40 reviews
3.6 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
Tried twice. Didn't get into it. You might, though.
Review: Many many years ago, 114 people disappeared for no reason from Roanoke Island. Modern day Roanoake, anotoehr 114 people have gone. Read more
Published 6 days ago by Nina (Death Books and Tea)
5.0 out of 5 stars
Blackwood
Blackwood puts a great paranormal spin on a piece of history. The unravelling mystery is tense and exciting. The story is creepy, absorbing and full of surprises. Read more
Published 4 months ago by mfu_11
3.0 out of 5 stars
Blackwood is very clever at pulling you into the story, by the time...
Blackwood is somewhat split, the first half of the book is atmospheric, intriguing and spooky. The second half wanders a little into the ridiculous in my opinion but overall it's... Read more
Published 6 months ago by lunaslittlelibrary
1.0 out of 5 stars
Bizzare and at times uncomfortable
Blackwood was a novel full of good ideas. The story was interesting and different, the characters were likable and sweet, but somewhere along the line this book misses the... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Kate Phillips
4.0 out of 5 stars
3.5/5. Different, Unique, Intriguing Read
Audio Review
I received an audio copy of Blackwood from AudioGo. Below is my review of the audiobook itself. Thank you to Patrick and AudioGO!! Read more
I received an audio copy of Blackwood from AudioGo. Below is my review of the audiobook itself. Thank you to Patrick and AudioGO!! Read more
Published 7 months ago by Jodzie
4.0 out of 5 stars
Thrilling debut.
Before I started reading Blackwood I'd never heard of Roanoke Island, let alone the legend of the Lost Colony. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Jenni (Juniper's Jungle)
5.0 out of 5 stars
A gorgeous adventure of a book that simply must be read
It's been a autumn of YA Fantasy so far, so I might as well keep up the trend--after all, I hold to it that the main difference between YA and standard fantasy (I refuse to call it... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Leo Elijah Cristea
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved the mixture of fact and fiction.
I went into this book rather blind to the story. I hadn't read any reviews, I didn't even read the blurb on the back. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Vivienne Serendipity
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great debut
The second of Strange Chemistry's launch titles, Blackwood had an intriguing set-up. A modern day fantasy based on one of the US's biggest mysteries? Count me in. Read more
Published 8 months ago by W.M.M. van der Salm-Pallada
2.0 out of 5 stars
Blackwood by Gwenda Bond
After reading Lies Beneath and finding it completely dull, I was hoping I wouldn't come across another novel like that any time soon. As you do. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Amber
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
