Customer Reviews

The Book of Dead Days

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Can a Faustian pact be avoided? And if so, what's the cost? That's what our heroes -- and enemies -- are trying to do in "The Book of Dead Days," a chilling historical fantasy where a nameless boy searches for the means to save his master, and for the clues to his own past.

In a ragtag circus, Valerian the magician serves up many of the thrills -- with Boy as his slavish assistant. But that changes during the Dead Days between Christmas and New Year's, when Valerian is attacked and buried alive. Boy and his friend Willow cart him home, and hear Valerian's terrible story: Fifteen years ago, he made a Faustian pact to win the heart of the woman.

Now the time has come to give up his life and soul to a demon, and he's desperate to escape his fate. Boy and Willow agree to help him find the Book of Dead Days, which is hidden in a crypt somewhere in the city. But Boy doesn't realize how desperate Valerian is, or that he plans to sacrifice Boy in his stead...

Perhaps the worst thing about the "Book of Dead Days" is the fact that it ends with so many threads hanging -- the whole mystery of who Boy is remains unsolved. Up until that point, there are few weak spots at all. With a plucky heroine, slightly dopey hero and medieval magic, "The Book of Dead Days" is like reading the gothic twin of Lloyd Alexander's books.

Marcus Sedgwick has always had a sort of Edward-Gorey-like writing style, with the ability to make the everyday look a bit dark and bizarre. In the time of the Holy Roman Empire, he makes readers see the superstition, the cold, and the grime. Not to mention bone chapels, magical books and plenty of creepy underground tunnels.

And it somehow seems appropriate that Boy, the nameless hero, is a rather timid, pallid character for most of the book; he only shows his strength when he sees what Valerian really is. He and plucky Willow are the only characters who are what they seem to be; others can be creepily deceptive, and have their own (murderous) motives for what they do.

Though it ends with an obvious "to be continued," Marcus Sedgwick creates another haunting, vivid story in "Book of Dead Days." Just be sure to find out the rest of Boy's story.

Boy is a servant for a man named Valerian, a mean man -or magician- that does magic shows at the Great Theatre. Valerian had found Boy hiding in a niche in a church listening to a conversation between Valerian and Kepler, an old friend of Valerian's. Boy doesn't remember a life before living on the streets or with Valerian; he doesn't remember his mother or father, or even having a proper name, other than Boy. Boy later finds out that Valerian will die at midnight on New Years Eve unless he acquired a certain book, that would tell him how to escape death among other things, but Boy wasn't told how or why Valerian would die. Boy and Valerian are later joined by Willow, a servant girl that had ran away from Madam Beauchance, another Great Theatre performer. Go along with Boy, Valerian, and Willow as they put clues together through a tale of danger, turncoats, and adventure.
One reason why I like The Book of Dead Days is that at times it was suspenseful; you'll want to keep reading to see what happens next. Another reason why I liked this book is that it was very descriptive and detailed; characters, events, details, and places were all describes well. I didn't like The Book of Dead Days because it got rather boring and redundant at times. I also didn't like this book because Valerian, Boy, and Willow spent the whole book doing just one thing; it was redundant.
I would recommend this book to anyone that likes suspense, action, fantasy, and fiction books. The Book of Dead Days does have some blood, violence, and skeletons; so anyone that doesn't even like the tiniest bit of those might not like this book. People might also like this book if they like books about magic or magicians.

Can a Faustian pact be avoided? And if so, what's the cost? That's what our heroes -- and enemies -- are trying to do in "The Book of Dead Days," a chilling historical fantasy where a nameless boy searches for the means to save his master, and for the clues to his own past.

In a ragtag circus, Valerian the magician serves up many of the thrills -- with Boy as his slavish assistant. But that changes during the Dead Days between Christmas and New Year's, when Valerian is attacked and buried alive. Boy and his friend Willow cart him home, and hear Valerian's terrible story: Fifteen years ago, he made a Faustian pact to win the heart of the woman.

Now the time has come to give up his life and soul to a demon, and he's desperate to escape his fate. Boy and Willow agree to help him find the Book of Dead Days, which is hidden in a crypt somewhere in the city. But Boy doesn't realize how desperate Valerian is, or that he plans to sacrifice Boy in his stead...

Perhaps the worst thing about the "Book of Dead Days" is the fact that it ends with so many threads hanging -- the whole mystery of who Boy is remains unsolved. Up until that point, there are few weak spots at all. With a plucky heroine, slightly dopey hero and medieval magic, "The Book of Dead Days" is like reading the gothic twin of Lloyd Alexander's books.

Marcus Sedgwick has always had a sort of Edward-Gorey-like writing style, with the ability to make the everyday look a bit dark and bizarre. In the time of the Holy Roman Empire, he makes readers see the superstition, the cold, and the grime. Not to mention bone chapels, magical books and plenty of creepy underground tunnels.

And it somehow seems appropriate that Boy, the nameless hero, is a rather timid, pallid character for most of the book; he only shows his strength when he sees what Valerian really is. He and plucky Willow are the only characters who are what they seem to be; others can be creepily deceptive, and have their own (murderous) motives for what they do.

Though it ends with an obvious "to be continued," Marcus Sedgwick creates another haunting, vivid story in "Book of Dead Days." Just be sure to find out the rest of Boy's story.

For those parents and young adults who are looking for an escape from the dreary world of reading and re-reading the beloved Harry Potter novels look no further than this amazing book. Along with it's partner "The Dark Flight Down" it weaves a fantastic tale of the most unlikely, yet believable, protagonists to grace the modern fantasy novel.

Boy, an orphan with no key to his past, and presumably no fantastic future, and his friend and fellow servant Willow, race against the clock along with Boy's master the magician Valerian to unlock the secret to saving Valerian's life. But when circumstances lead the trio on a tragic and wonderful trip through a dark and underground world Boy begins to show his true colors.

Children of all ages will connect with Boy's lonliness and his longing to be accepted. They will cheer and bound through each twist into the dark and delicious realm that Marcus Sedgwick has created, on the coat tails of one of the darkest and most sinister villains created in a long while.

There is nothing to say that Sedgewick won't have you on the edge of your seat until well into the wee hours of morning. But really, there is no place you would rather be.

I re-read this over the weekend since I have a number of friends who really liked it. But I still just thought it was ok - even upon re-read. I understand the idea of Boy not knowing anything about who he is - but I felt is was almost lazy to at least not give him a name. And Kepler and his role was a little too convenient. I don't know - I am ok with having loose ends - story arcs that keep you moving from one book to the next. But I felt like I have no information to motivate me into wanting to read the next - I feel like I have none of the little tidbits that I should have at this point. To me, a good novel which is part of a series, gives me just enough of a tease as to what I might find out, that I really want to read what's next. Here, not so much. I don't know - I also expected - both reads - to learn more about the "Dead Days" - but it was like the mythology associated with them, which is set up by the beginning explanation of the varying cultures' calendars - was totally absent. They were barely a passing thought. And that was disappointing the first time through. I was hoping I had just missed stuff or forgotten since the first read, but unfortunately, that was not the case. The ending was too neat - and not neat enough at all - all at the same time. I can't even decide if I want to read the companion/sequel or not.

I am a teacher and bought this book at my school's book fair. I actually really liked the cover. That is what caught my eye. Anyway, this was a pretty good book. Fairly dark and gloomy--not an uplifting book by any means. But, the writing flowed and I found myself reading on. My daughter is into fantasy books, so I believe this book would appeal to kids who like that type of writing. There are worse books out there that try to appeal to kids.

This book deserves the good rating I gave it due to its well-crafted setting. The action takes place in the shadow-lands between fantasy and 'historical fiction'; between whimsy and reality. A time-frame (the late 18th century) is given, from which the reader can surmise details such as the clothing of the people involved. The action takes place, for the most part, in a sprawling, dilapidated, unnamed city called simply the City by the characters. The City is composite of several real cities but has an aura all its own that the reader can easily absorb. With its winding streets, ineffectual leadership and forgotten catacombs, the City effectively embodies decadence and the mysteries of a forgotten past that can lie unseen beneath it.

Another reviewer mentioned that the book's characterization is weak. While it is true that the reader will not find much in the way of 'emotional identification' with these characters, many authors, particularly children's authors, try too hard to play this angle. There is a twist near the end of the book which will likely cause a sudden change in the reader's opinion of one of the main characters; unfortunately, it is never adequately explained. Indeed, much of the plot seems unresolved and the ending in particular is rather abrupt. This is one of those books that makes it clear that a sequel is coming.

Unlike most children's authors, Sedgwick is unafraid to employ a consistently gloomy tone. Additionally, he narrates a string of events that, in an age in which seemingly everyone jumps on board to define 'age-appropriate content', might shock some overly concerned parents but will delight most children, who love a good ghost story.

Marcus Sedgwicks' novel, The Book of Dead Days, was a very interesting read that I throughouly enjoyed. The novel is set in an eerie setting of a decaying city where civilized life is uncommon and mystery is abound. Sedgwick amazingly conveys the dark, unsettling tone and medieval setting of the city. Through beatuiful language, he creates a dark world where you have the feeling that something unsettling always lurks in the deepest corners of an unexplored alleyway. The three main characters were vividly imagined, the most complex being the unpleasant magician Valerian, who's mysterious past and deal with evil keeps you reading impatiently till the middle of the book. Boy, Valerian's servant, is a boy with no name, history or past, but his purpose to Valerian is revealed in the end and his true feelings that he's been hiding for years emerges in the final climax. Willow on the other hand, the young girl who befriends boy in the beginning after her terrifying experience in the theatre, was somewhat unenjoyable. Sedgwick used her to ask way, and I mean, way too many questions which reveal the bulk of the mystery. When she wasn't asking questions and you get a view into her past, Willow does become somewhat believable and you find yourself becoming sympathetic. Overall, this book was an amazing read that transports you to some of the deepest, decaying parts of your imagination. My only disappointment were all the questions left unanswered which I hope will be answered in book 2. The fact of the phantom, Korp and Green's murders, and who did kill them for what reasons were all left unsolved but were all brought up in the end which gives me hope and anticipation for book 2.

This book takes place in a series of dark scenes as two young people try to save a magician from a deal he has made earlier, although he is not highly deserving of their loyalty or help. The characters are not deeply developed but this didn't really bother me, since the book was more intent on creating a mood of gloom and strangeness. The ending didn't answer all questions, so I'm hoping for a sequel. I would recommend this to people who liked Mervyn Peake's Gormenghast novels and Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy. Likewise, if you liked this, you might want to try those authors.

THE BOOK OF DEAD DAYS is about a magician called Valerian who is desperately trying to save his own life from an evil he made a pact with 15 years before, with two teenagers Willow and Boy aiding him on his struggles they start the search through the dark and haunting city to find the book that could save Valerian from his fate.

Written in short chapters, sometimes of only a page or two, the book is kept fast paced and interesting. Although I expected the short chapters to be tiring after a while I found they kept the book moving and the suspense always at a high, right until the end.

The writing style is simple but elegant and sets the mood for the dark story, however the book is not actually that heavy going or depressing, despite the nature of the storyline.

A refreshing and interesting dark tale full of suspense and melodrama. Quick and simple but extremely enjoyable!