Bloodtide: Amazon.ca: Melvin Burgess: Books

Product Description

From Publishers Weekly

Based on the first part of the 13th-century Icelandic Volsunga saga, this searing novel by the author of Junk combines a gory and incestuous revenge story with a futuristic premise that recalls The Island of Doctor Moreau. The result is a page-turner, a shocker and a resonant piece of writing. Post-apocalyptic London is populated by halfmen and humans; the former are slave-composites of people and animals, achieved through genetic engineering; the latter are prejudiced, power-hungry rulers, crippled by economic depression. Two warring human gangs have dominated the city for years, and now attempt to unite by marrying 14-year-old Signy to "King" Conor of the opposing crew. Treachery ensues, and innocent Signy soon becomes a vengeful deceiver: "I'll open my legs with a loving smile.... If I have to bear his children, I'll do that too, just so that I can slit their throats before his eyes," she says. People are eaten alive by a pig halfman, others are hung by their heels until dead; Signy and her twin brother have fairly graphic sex while she is inhabiting the body of a shape-changing creature, and the resulting baby is cloned; the dead are resuscitated; Signy's hamstrings are cut in two; and cyborg/animal gods control people's fates. Narrated alternately by various characters and by an omniscient narrator, the storytelling may challenge less proficient readers; yet without a doubt, Burgess's bleak and breathless vision will spark imaginations and discussions. Ages 14-up.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

In a far future, two warring gangs, the Conors and the Volsons, rule the ruins of London. When the leader of the Volsons gives his daughter Signy in marriage to the leader of the Conor family, the stage is set for a tale of vengeance and tragedy. This postmodern retelling of the saga of the Volsungs from Iceland by the author of Smack does not stint on graphic portrayals of violence. Twin themes of love and death provide an inexorable tension in this dark dystopian fable. For most fantasy or general fiction collections.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Inside This Book (Learn More)

First Sentence
The top thirty floors had broken away a long time ago, but the Galaxy Building was still the tallest in London. Read the first page

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Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover

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Customer Reviews

11 Reviews

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4.6 out of 5 stars (11 customer reviews)

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5.0 out of 5 stars Bloodtide review, Feb 16 2004

By

Wes. Wang (Flushing, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bloodtide (Mass Market Paperback)

Bloodtide is a novel that will horrify ordinary readers, and make them feel quite disgust. However, the appalling plot of the novel is what made it so intriguing. The novel is unlike any other published works ever on Earth. I think the purpose of the novel is to portrait most of the human being¡�s evil side of nature, and the unthinkable achievements. Throughout the novel, many morbid human nature are shown, such as hatred, vengeance, greed, and selfishness

The entire novel is about future London and the most important conflict between the two gangs that took over control of London. The two gangs have been fighting each other for many years over this parsimonious city with no real successes. Just when the leader of Volson (one of the groups) tried to appease the conflict and to unite London by betrothing his own daughter to his enemy¡�s son; a dramatic twist occurred. One thing the Volson did not notice is that his nemesis is actually planning on something far more nefarious as ever¡�

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5.0 out of 5 stars Bloodtide- A book to review., Oct 22 2003

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"lucie63" (Altrincham, England.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bloodtide (Mass Market Paperback)

Based on the Icelandic Volsunga Saga, this book has everything to keep you interested from beginning to end. The storyline keeps you thinking but the violence and gore keep you reading.
London is in ruins. But 2 families fight to keep their share and their power over the city. Val Volson, a high-rise gang lord who owns more than half. He is the leader of the Volsons and is one of the most powerful men of London. He has a 14-year-old daughter called Signy, her twin brother called Siggy and 2 other sons named Had and Ben. The family is very close and intend to keep it that way. Then in the red corner we have Conor, the owner of the rest of London. Between both the landlords many wars and fights have occurred. Until now. Val and Conor decide to make a treaty. This involves Signy, Val's daughter. She has to go and marry Conor , live with him and even fall in love. This can't seem possible, can it?
The main characters of the book are the twins, Signy and Siggy. We know this for certain because all the chapters are different characters point of view and many of them are named either Signy or Siggy. All of the characters ,human or not, are described thoroughly and give your imagination something to feed on. My favourite character is Cherry. She is a shape changer from the gods and helps the twins through their struggle. She is my favourite because instead describing her as one thing, she is a shape changer so she has many descriptions including a girl, a cat and a bird.
I would say this book is a thriller part horror. I think this because it deals with characters emotions and real issues but also imaginary evil that you expect to be in childrens nightmares. This novel is targeted at 15-18 year olds or maybe even older readers.
Instead of being written in 1st person all the way through, every different chapter is someone else's opinion and point of view. Melvin Burgess uses this technique in many of his books but I think it works especially well here.
I have read many of his books but overall this is my favourite. This is because it is one of a kind and the idea of realistic issues combined with impossible evil is great and very creative. The storyline is great, the descriptions are great and overall this book is great. I compliment Melvin Burgess for his unique writing skills and his creative and overactive imagination!

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5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING, Dec 2 2002

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pvl (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bloodtide (Hardcover)

I do not want to ruin the story for all the people who had not read this book yet, so I'll be really brief.

This book is AWESOME.

Go and buy this masterpiece right now.

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