My thanks to the nice people at orion for sending the book. He is best known for novels such as floodland and the dark horse, and book series like raven mysteries and elf girl and raven boy. With his formidable skill, marcus sedgwick renders venice the most perfect backdrop for this intensely gripping vampire action the bookseller. Marcus sedgwick the kiss of death follows on from sedgwick s earlier vampire novel my swordhand is singing but it is not a sequel. Sep 05, 2008 marcus sedgwick discusses his new book, the kiss of death, out now.
His first book floodland was published in 2000, winning the branford boase book award for best debut childrens novel. It was about a boy called marko who is looking for his father who has recently dissapeard. If they havent already, they should read the first book in the series. The kiss of death download pdfepub ebook gets free book. In the bitter cold of an unrelenting winter, tomas and his son, peter, arrive in the inhospitable village of chust and settle there as woodcutters. Fictionalising history and blending it with one mans real life, marcus sedgwick expertly crafts this innovative and stimulating novel of three parts a fairy tale full of wise and foolish kings, princesses, wishes and magic. In this tailwind of nail biting events the plot of this sequel thickens as koko is on her quest to find everyone involved in kaysons murder. He authored several picture books, and has illustrated a collection of myths and a book of folk. Marcus sedgwicks tale of venice and vampires is a captivating companion volume to the bestselling my swordhand is singing. Yes i have read and accept the terms and conditions.
Dec 31, 20 marcus sedgwick is best known for his mature and gripping writing. In 1994, he started to write his own books after working as a bookseller and childrens publication. Menace, threat, faith and hope combine to provide a. From bram stoker to stephanie meyer, via anne rice and buffy, they are gothic literatures equivalent of the little black dress. He mets a girl called sorrel whos father has dissapeard too, and they join together to look for their fathers. His first book, floodland, was published in 2000, and it received the branfordboase award for the best first childrens novel of that. Marcus sedgwick books list of books by author marcus. The kiss of death this was the first book that i have read by marcus sedgwick and i was hooked from page 1. The book of dead days by marcus sedgwick, read by derek. The kiss of death, a 2008 novel by marcus sedgwick. Death comes in many forms, but in venice death comes by waterpg. It is based in 18th century venice, and follows the story of a young boy called marco, who is searching for his father who has gone missing. They might be murdered by loved ones gone mad, or killed by ancient norse vampires. Maybe theres something magical about a book that makes your thoughts whirl endlessly.
It is certainly not his worst book, but then again, it isnt his best either. The kiss of death by marcus sedgwick books hachette. A dark and gothic novel of vampires and 18th century venice, filled with mystery and intrigue. The dark and gothic novel is set in the early 18th century in the eery yet beautiful city of venice, italy. Master storyteller, marcus sedgwick, weaves his enchanting story from the glittering threads of history, folklore and imagination. Since then his books have been shortlisted for the guardian childrens fiction prize, the blue peter book award, the costa book award, the carnegie medal and the edgar allan poe award. The kiss of death marcus sedgwick hardback musicmagpie. Sedgwick is renowned for the darkthemes that he incorporates into his youngadult novels. Marcus sedgwick marko and sorrel meet in venice for the first time. The prizewinning vampire novel my swordhand is singing and its companion the kiss of death in an omnibus edition.
Set on the border of mexico and the us, saint death explores death, love, money, power, guns, gambling and lies. Marcus sedgwick is a british author of young adult fiction. The dark flight down the book of dead days book 2 by sedgwick, marcus and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
The biggest thing that let the book down for me for it is well written, has a nice pace, a decent story is the actual missing antagonist. Fans of all things bitey might like the modern day vampires in the last days by scott westerfeld. Marcus sedgwick wrote the puffin eshort the spear of destiny, a third doctor short story to celebrate the 50th anniversary of doctor who. Although the kiss of death is a sequel to my swordhand is singing, it is possible to read the kiss of death as a stand alone book. It is based in 18th century venice, and follows the story of. They have a secret or not so secret nightlife rather like marcus sedgwick, who works in sales at a publisher by day then morphs at dusk into the writer of his own spooky novels. The kiss of death is a novel written by marcus sedgwick, and the sequel to my swordhand is singing. If you work at a school you can use rewards to buy books and resources for your classroom or library. His first novel, floodland, won the branford boase award for the best debut childrens novel of 2000. In the fourth laughoutloud adventure from blue peter book awardshortlisted marcus sedgwick and pete williamson, elf girl and raven boy bump into a grumpy camel, a grumpier genie, sultanas, sandpeople and scorpions as they try to save the world fro. After careers in bookselling and the publishing industry, sedgwick produced his first novel floodland in 2000. A couple of weeks ago i finished reading, the kiss of death by marcus sedgwick. The kiss of death by marcus sedgwick book cover, description, publication history.
Marko and sorrel meet in venice for the first time. The narratives main focus is on marko and sorrel who meet in venice for the first. Marcus sedgwick was born in 1968 in kent, and has worked as a bookseller and inside childrens publishing, becoming a writer for children in 1994, and wellknown for the dark themes in his young adult fantasy books. Apr 02, 2009 the kiss of death is a vampire novel without the vampires, which i found to be a little disappointing. The 18th century was when it was considered at its most beautiful but also at its most debauched. Tense and claustrophobic gothic novel set in eighteenth century venice. The kiss of death by marcus sedgwick books hachette australia. In marcus sedgwicks the kiss of death 2008, the theme of death and triumph are quite prevalent. The kiss of death by marcus sedgwick hardback, 2008 for. They must uncover the mystery of what has happened both to sorrels father, plagued by a strange madness that prevents him from sleeping, and to.
British author marcus sedgwick is well known for the dark themes in his critically acclaimed fantasy novels for young adults, including witch hill, the book of dead days, and the kiss of death. With his formidable skill, marcus sedgwick renders venice the most perfect. Schools earn scholastic rewards when parents or staff order from us. The kiss of death by marcus sedgwick 9781842556894. Peters ongoing search for the shadow queen leads him to venice the fabled city with lapping waterways, crumbling magnificence, dark, twisting alleyways and surprising piazzas. Marcus sedgwick s most popular book is midwinterblood. It is baffling to markus, the son of the man who wrote the letter, who only knows that it is in his fathers handwriting and that he has disappeared after traveling to venice to help a friend. The book of dead days audio book is a real must for those looking for a timeless tale told by an ageless actor. Marcus sedgwick books list of books by author marcus sedgwick. The kiss of death by marcus sedgwickmary hoffman relishes an atmospheric evocation of venice, vampires and vshaped tattoos.
I found that the story was very interesting enticing you into the world of vampires and the undead, and becoming a fast paced. He also worked at ragged bear, a childrens publishing company. The kiss of death is, however, a palpable hit in this regard, making this one of his best novels. His first novel,floodland, won the branford boase award for the best debut childrens novel of 2000. The kiss of death by marcus sedgwick 9781842556894paperback. Marcus sedgwicks tale of venice and vampires is a captivating co. A tightly plotted, dark and thrilling tale of crime, poverty and desperation.
He gets by doing odd jobs and hustling small amounts of cash with the card game calavera. The book begins with protagonist arturo witnessing one of his neighbours be taken away from his home by a local gang, with everyone knowing full well that he wont be coming. Sep 01, 2008 although the kiss of death is a sequel to my swordhand is singing, it is possible to read the kiss of death as a stand alone book. Marcus sedgwick born 8 april 1968 is a british writer, illustrator and musician. Plotting is a more hitandmiss affair when it comes to the sedgwick canon. He is also the author of several picture books, and has illustrated a collection of myths and a book. If you havent read it, do, because the kiss of death is an equally gripping sequel. He has written many bestselling books such as revolver, midwinter blood, my swordhand is singing and kiss of death. The kiss of death is unconventional in form, which does follow sedgwick s trademark two fingers to the ya standard. He is the author for a number of pictures books and novels. Download pdf get this from a kiss of death download kiss of death or read online books in pdf. Browse author series lists, sequels, pseudonyms, synopses, book covers, ratings and awards. Once again, sedgwick is at his beguiling best in this novel and its almost certainly heading for all the major book award shortlists.
The kiss of death by marcus sedgwick is in the top ten books about vampires. A captivating story of love and loss, the kiss of death is a. Best described as a gothic horror mystery, the kiss of death begins with a letter addressed to persons unknown, detailing the writers desire to murder its recipient. The birthplace of sedgwick was located in east kent, england. Its hard to know where history ends and imagination begins as he weaves three stories into one and vividly brings to life an extraordinary time in russias history. Marcus sedgwick was born in kent in 1968 and is an acclaimed childrens author and illustrator. Marcus sedgwick discusses his new book, the kiss of death, out now. Apr 16, 20 death comes in many forms, but in venice death comes by waterpg. Author marcus sedgwicks complete list of books and series in order, with the latest releases, covers, descriptions and availability. May 18, 2011 the kiss of death l medical books the kiss of death. He has published novels such as floodlandm winner of the branford boase award in 2001 and the dark horse shortlisted for the guardian childrens book award 2002. It is surprising to know that sedgwick is also a musician.
Kiss of death audio drama, a 2011 audio play based on the tv series doctor who kiss of death, an episode of get smart kiss of death that 70s show, an episode of that 70s show. However, there are no mystical spirals of madness or viking vampires here. With saint death, marcus sedgwick manages to immerse the reader into the harsh life of arturo, a young mexican living near the border of. I love the style that marcus sedgwick writes in, particularly in the way he chops a book up into segments and then adds short chapters. The kiss of death, venice and vampires by marcus sedgwick. Look at facts about marcus sedgwick if you want to know the british writer. But personally you would understand more by reading both books. Be the first to read an extract of marcus sedgwick s thrilling new ya book.
In marcus sedgwick s the kiss of death 2008, the theme of death and triumph are quite prevalent. Marcus sedgwick arturo lives in anapra, one of the poorest neighbourhoods around the mexican border city of juarez, where drug lords rule. Mining a rich seam of gothic intrigue, the book set the tone for many of his following ya novels and scooped the branford boase award. A timely but unflinching look at the distressing impact of drugs on the u. Apr 21, 2017 exploring the hidden world of cartels and people smuggling, saint death by marcus sedgwick endeavours to show a view of life in mexico and how quickly a life can change. A captivating story of love and loss, the kiss of death is a stunning companion volume to the bestselling my swordhand is singing. His thirdperson, presenttense narrative combines his characteristic precision of english prose with spanish punctuation conventions in his dialogue. Marcus sedgwick has 79 books on goodreads with 152344 ratings. Years on from my swordhand is singing and peter is still on the trail of the shadow queen. He has illustrated some of his own books, and also produces woodcuts and stone carvings. Synopsis marcus sedgwicks tale of venice and vampires is a captivating companion volume.