A Piece of Passion from the publisher:

"A story of devastating loss and a love that never falters. Midwinterblood is skillfully delivered, finely plotted and written with the assurance that comes from penning twelve acclaimed novels. From gothic to gruesome, from spy thriller to fairy tale, from angels to devels, Midwinterblood, both memorable and cleverly constructed, is Marcus Sedgwick’s best novel yet."

The Lovereading comment:

Beautifully imagined, intricately and cleverly structured, this is a heart-wrenching and breathtaking love story with the hallmark Sedgwick gothic touches of atmosphere, blood-spilling and sacrifice.  Have you ever had the feeling that you've lived another life? Been somewhere that has felt totally familiar, even though you've never been there before, or felt that you know someone well, even though you are meeting them for the first time? It happens. So, what would you sacrifice for someone you've loved forever? Tragically separated in life, Eric and Merle's souls have searched to be reunited through ten centuries, but can their love last?

Synopsis

In 2073 on the remote and secretive island of Blessed, where rumour has it that no one ages and no children are born, a visiting journalist, Eric Seven, and a young local woman known as Merle are ritually slain. Their deaths echo a moment ten centuries before, when, in the dark of the moon, a king was slain, tragically torn from his queen. Their souls search to be reunited, and as mother and son, artist and child, forbidden lovers, victims of a vampire they come close to finding what they've lost. In a novel comprising seven parts, each influenced by a moon - the flower moon, the harvest moon, the hunter's moon, the blood moon - this is the story of Eric and Merle whose souls have been searching for each other since their untimely parting.

Reviews

'I loved this outstanding novel of love and sacrifice, which also has some fabulously 'Wicker Man inspired moments The outstanding title of Orion 's new teen/ crossover Indigo imprint: a devastating love story across the ages with Sedgwick gothic touches and brooding atmosphere.' -- Fiona Noble THE BOOKSELLER

'This is a powerful book, rich in emotion and skilfully narrated, and without doubt many people will read it more than once in order to enjoy more fully the intricate mix of ideas and symbols it contains. It is a tour de force, and a thoroughly good read.' THE BOOKBAG

About the Author

Marcus Sedgwick has worked in children's publishing for ten years and before that he was a bookseller. He is also a stone carver and wood engraver and illustrates all his novels.   Marcus lives in Sussex and has a young daughter, Alice.   More books by this author Author 'Like for Like' recommendation