Bloodsong [Library Binding]

Melvin Burgess (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2007

PART II

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 Odin himself, has been shattered to dust.

Now, Odin's eye is upon him. Armed with a powerful sword forged from the remnants of his father's knife, Sigurd will face death, fire, and torment. He must travel through Hel and back...to unite his country once again.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Told from a number of different viewpoints, this stand-alone sequel to Burgess' unforgettable Bloodtide (2001) pushes the boundaries of YA literature with its masterful melding of sf and violent Viking myth. Based on a thirteenth-century Icelandic epic, the story focuses on 15-year-old Sigurd, son of Bloodtide's Sigmund. In a futuristic war-torn England where organic machines with both flesh and circuitry live alongside human-animal hybrids, it's Sigurd's destiny to reclaim his royal lineage and unite the country. To this end, he accomplishes a series of impossible tasks, including slaying the genetically enhanced "dragon" Fafnir, rising from the dead three times, and ending war between the Niberlin and Portland families. But when Sigurd aligns himself with the Niberlin family, his fortunes turn, and his godlike capabilities are crushed beneath the iron wills of three very different women, each of whom wants to possess him. Burgess pulls no punches in his dark dystopian vision; classic themes of heroism, love, and betrayal are illustrated with violent imagery that is as shocking as it is utterly captivating. But readers who can manage the body count will discover that Burgess has breathed new life into an ancient tale, making it relevant and accessible to teens coming of age in a post-9/11 world. Although the first book was originally published for adults, this one is being marketed as YA. Hubert, Jennifer --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Melvin Burgess has produced a body of work that is both

challenging and thrilling, including the seminal teen drug and love

novels Smack and Doing It. His books have been adapted

for film, stage, and television. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 14 and up
  
• Library Binding: 354 pages
• Publisher: San Val (August 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1417823739
• ISBN-13: 978-1417823734
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Teens Read Too, January 12, 2010

By 

TeensReadToo "Eat. Drink. Read. Be Merrier." (All Over the US & Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bloodsong (Paperback)

In this post-apocalyptic world, war and corruption thrive, as the innocent people who occupy it must adapt. England has been torn apart and two families, Niberlin and Portland, are still worrisome toward one another, even though there is a truce intact.

The answer to saving this chaotic world lies with one person, the "chosen one," "the hero," - Sigurd, son of King Sigmund. The only surviving Volson, Sigurd's only chance in reuniting this torn country is by doing one simple thing...slay a dragon. Simple? Not so much.

Throw in three lovely lady distractions, resurrections, technologically-based animals and humans who aren't so human (including a human-turned-dragon) and a protagonist who is part lion, and it's all a little complicated.

On the surface, BLOODSONG looks like the normal adventure based on the heroic cycle, where the main character goes on a journey to accomplish one thing, slay the nemesis. However, in this case it's a technologically advanced dragon.

BLOODSONG begins a generation after BLOODTIDE. But nothing is different from the first time period. There is still blood, war, and love. With those elements, Melvin Burgess creates a complex world that is so imaginative and advanced that it feels like you are in an action-packed video game. And when you finish, you just have to sit back and say WHOA!

Reviewed by: Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen

5.0 out of 5 stars Icelandic Saga, Rendered for Contemporary Readers, April 13, 2009

By 

Sandy Nathan "Sandy" (California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bloodsong (Paperback)

I couldn't put this book down and ordered Bloodtide, the first book in the series, the instant I was done with Bloodsong. Why start with the second book? I stumbled into Bloodsong, and am I glad. My series of thrillers is called the Bloodsong Series. Wanting to check out the competition, I bought a number of books and other items with "Bloodsong" in their titles. This was the gem of the bunch.

Bloodsong is based on the 13th-century Icelandic Volsunga saga and captures the timeless feel of sagas. I am half Icelandic and am delighted to find anything touching on the country of my ancestors in the literary world, so this book was a multi-faceted win.

Burgess is a very skilled writer, picking up the tempo of the "Icelandic voice" and rendering it for modern readers. I liked his simple, short sentences used to present complex and ageless themes. Love, betrayal, revenge. He writes bloody violence as well as love.

Reading this book will change my own writing. Burgess has shown me that an epic can be spare and disciplined as well as touching on the large, eternal human themes.

I highly recommend this thriller.