Set in the future as two rival gangs, the Volsons and the Connors, struggle to control London. The city is almost cut off from the rest of the country and surrounded by the Halfman Lands - a desolate area populated by creatures, Halfmen, the resultsof genetic experiments to create living killing machines. Val Volson dreams of uniting the two factions by giving his 14-year-old daughter, Signy, as a bride to the rival ganglord, Connor. A shocking betrayal almost wipes out the Volsons - only Signy and her twin brother, Siggy, survive. The fate of both gangs, and of London, is in their hands, but both must pay a terrible price for power.
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Amazon Review
The publishers of Bloodtide use the words compelling, gripping and dramatic to describe Melvin Burgess's follow-up novel to the controversial and prize-winning Junk. To this description you must add visionary, violent, brutal and bloody to fully appreciate the depth and complexity of this new offering for only the most mature young readers.
Set in a frighteningly realistic ravaged London in the near future, Burgess uses the Icelandic Volsunga saga as inspiration for his plot. Two warring families of ganglords appear united by the marriage of Signy Volson to Conor--head of the opposing family. However, Conor's treachery results not in the long-expected truce but the decimation of the Volson family. Only Signy and her hideously disfigured brother Siggy survive the culling, kept apart by circumstance but united in their hate for Conor. They are intent on revenge--no matter how long it takes--or at what cost.
Burgess has delivered a book of two halves.
The first is a taut, psychological challenge between brother and sister. As Conor consolidates his hold over the capital, Siggy slowly regains his energy, his identity and will to live. Signy, crippled and imprisoned, with only a shape-changing cat for company, spends her teenage youth playing mindgames with the new King of London, preparing for the moment when she might strike a blow for the oppressed population and the memory of her family. It's gripping, gutsy, bloody and purposeful. The shifting viewpoints offer real insight into these two battered minds and all those they infect with their plight.
The second half of the novel is long and ambitious. The vast timescale means that some events are skipped over very quickly and the payoff takes a long time to arrive.
Bloodtide is a long book, nearly 400 pages, and it is doubtful whether or not it is a children's book at all--the characters, settings, colourful language and plots are adult in almost every way. But the book is undeniably addictive, and difficult to give up once it pulls you in. It's a worthy addition to Burgess' short catalogue of fine novels. (Age 12 and over) --John McLay --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Review
"A scary but compelling view of a possible world to come." (Kids Out )
"I can imagine it acquiring cult status among 16-year-olds." (Tony Bradman Daily Telegraph )
"Shies from nothing, making it both cruel and magnificent." (Julia Eccleshare Guardian )
"An epic tale of treachery, deceit, sex, torture, violence, revenge and retribution." (Independent on Sunday )
"As mythology collides with sci-fi, you're dragged into a world of treachery and double-dealing as savage and bloody as that in any gangland saga." (Daily Telegraph ) --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
"I can imagine it acquiring cult status among 16-year-olds." (Tony Bradman Daily Telegraph )
"Shies from nothing, making it both cruel and magnificent." (Julia Eccleshare Guardian )
"An epic tale of treachery, deceit, sex, torture, violence, revenge and retribution." (Independent on Sunday )
"As mythology collides with sci-fi, you're dragged into a world of treachery and double-dealing as savage and bloody as that in any gangland saga." (Daily Telegraph ) --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This book is amazing. I started reading it thinking it was another tale about families at war, a bit like Romeo and Juliet. Then I got ten pages in and realised that Bloodtide was nothing like that at all and found it impossible to put down.
The story of the Volsons and Connors is an addictive one. When Val Volson agrees for his daughter, Signy to be the bride to Connor as part of a treaty. He believes his dreams are finally starting to happen. Signy is reluctant at first to do anything with Connor her natural enemy but as she spends more time with him she sees there is ,more to this man. Siggy- Signy's twim brother- though is still not convinced. He sees Connor as evil and heartless, certainly not someone you can trust.
Then on the Volsons first visit to Signy and her new husband Connor, things go terribly wrong and nothing is ever the same again for the Volsons.
This is a must read, from beggining to end you will not be able to put it down. I loved how Melvin Burgess made two twins who started off in almost an identical life grow up in two different ones.
The story of the Volsons and Connors is an addictive one. When Val Volson agrees for his daughter, Signy to be the bride to Connor as part of a treaty. He believes his dreams are finally starting to happen. Signy is reluctant at first to do anything with Connor her natural enemy but as she spends more time with him she sees there is ,more to this man. Siggy- Signy's twim brother- though is still not convinced. He sees Connor as evil and heartless, certainly not someone you can trust.
Then on the Volsons first visit to Signy and her new husband Connor, things go terribly wrong and nothing is ever the same again for the Volsons.
This is a must read, from beggining to end you will not be able to put it down. I loved how Melvin Burgess made two twins who started off in almost an identical life grow up in two different ones.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I've not previously read Melvin Burgess - I don't really know why. I've certainly read a lot about him and admire a children's writer who puts so many difficult and gritty issues into the headlines. Perhaps I didn't read him before because I was worried that he would be too issue-driven. Any way, finally, I've read one of his titles....
Bloodtide is utterly terrifyingly addictively readable and not a little shocking. I take my hat off repeatedly but also am somewhat mazed by the idea that any writer (even one as unflinching as Burgess clearly is) should think of the bloody and despoiling Icelandic sagas and find in them the inspiration for a children's book. Well - Burgess did and more power to him - as it springboards him into the most breathtaking showpiece. Bloodtide pecks vulture-like at almost every element of human emotion and gnaws wolf-hound style at the moral dimensions thrown onto the book's exceptionally violent battle ground. As you'd expect of a post-apocalyptic saga blood lust, ambition, greed, lies lay much of humanity to waste. A certain frisson is added by a bit of matricide here, some incest there, cloning, genetic engineering, oh you name it - but also some ill-fated trust and love.
Burgess plays with his characters - some mutant by dint of scientific tinkering, others mutated by simple human inhumanity - in an appropriately god-like fashion. And he plays his readers expertly too.
In short: I was gripped, sickened and exhilerated by bloodtide and think Burgess to be one of the most impressive writers I've encountered this year. I am positively jealous of his skill.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By AnnaMaria
Format:Paperback
'Bloodtide' by Melvin Burgess is unlike any book I have ever read. Set in a ruined London, in the future, where love is non-existent and a gory battle rages on between two ganglords until the very last page. The powerful characters are pitiless, ruthless and will not spare anyone, not even their family. No man or beast can come between them and their ambitions. The extreme murder and massacre and the notorious man-made creatures called 'halfmen' are described in such an off-hand manner that they become entirely plausible. Most of the story is related from the point of view of the various individuals involved to give a fuller and more detailed picture of what is happening.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great saga told in a new way
This is a very dark and frightening portrayal of what may well happen to British society if the government flees, gangs rule and technology goes too far. Read more
Published 15 months ago by valkyrie1008
4.0 out of 5 stars
Grim, grim, grim.
From Doing It to Junk to Sara's Face, Melvin Burgess has written some of the darkest fiction ever published for a teen audience. Read more
Published 23 months ago by J. Shurin
2.0 out of 5 stars
Bold but flawed
I guess is only fair to begin by saying that I am not really the target audience for this book. It is apparently aimed at young adults and I certainly do not occupy that category. Read more
Published on 23 Sep 2009 by Alexis Paladin
1.0 out of 5 stars
Overblown, cumbersome and indescribably irritating drivel
I read this on a recommendation, and to be honest, I was faintly amused by the beginning, having all the usual teen-fantasy bricks to build a generic fantasy from: Wise kingly... Read more
Published on 23 Sep 2008 by Graeme Strachan
2.0 out of 5 stars
Icelandic Saga Recast as Plodding March to Revenge
I'd never read anything by Burgess before, but the concept of a near-future London dominated by warring gangs appealed to me, so I thought I'd check it out. Read more
Published on 25 Jun 2008 by A. Ross
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing! One of the best books I have ever read!
I loved Bloodtide. Although it is classed as teen fiction, it is a book that should be read by any science fiction/fantasy fan. Read more
Published on 19 April 2008 by L. C. Owen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Teenage classic
I first read this book when I was 12, a little younger than it recommended on the cover, but I always thought myself advanced for my age. Read more
Published on 22 Mar 2008 by O. Mawdsley
5.0 out of 5 stars
totally unexpected
I never write reviews, i usually dont know how to put into words how i feel about a book. this is the same case but i had to write one. Read more
Published on 11 May 2007 by Mr. Andrew Butler
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best books ever
Wow.Words can hardly describe this truely amazing book.Set in futuristic London,with crosses between fantasy and reality,this book is powerful and haunting and something you... Read more
Published on 26 Aug 2004 by "turquiosenotepad"
5.0 out of 5 stars
A total surprise
I skimmed the back of this book, and decided to get it, thinking it would be a nice bit of light summer reading... Read more
Published on 15 July 2004 by Crystalinne
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