Marcus Sedgwick

In the dangerous dark of winter in an Eastern European village during the early seventeenth century, Peter learns from a gypsy girl that the Shadow Queen is behind the recent murders and reanimations, and his father's secret past may hold the key to stopping her.

My swordhand is singing

Chloe Parpworth-Reynolds

Kinda disappointed in this book. Usually Carneigie medal nominees are totally worth their salt, but I really found this disappointing. Ton of potential, but slow in the wrong places, then chaotically brought together to finish. Had some really interesting lore potential, but none of it was really explained. At one point the characters are aiming to work out who is undead, and Sofia casually says 'a virgin on a horse can tell'. It just seems so random with no reasoning. I think I'm most saddened by how much potential this book had, compared to what the book delivered.

In the bitter cold of an unrelenting winter Tomas and his son, Peter, arrive in Chust and despite the inhospitability of the villagers settle there as woodcutters. Tomas digs a channel of fast-flowing waters around their hut so they have their own little island kingdom. Peter doesn't understand why his father has done this, nor why his father carries a long battered box everywhere they go, and why he is forbidden to know its contents. But when a band of gypsies comes to the village Peter's drab existence is turned upside down. He is infatuated by the beautiful gypsy princess, Sofia, intoxicated by their love of life and drawn into their deadly quest. For these travellers are Vampire Slayers and Chust is a dying community - where the dead come back to wreak revenge on the living. Amidst the terrifying events that follow, Peter is stunned to see his father change from a disillusioned man to the warrior hero he once was. Marcus draws on his extensive research of the vampire legend and sets his story in the forbidding and remote landscapes of the 17th century. Written in his usual distinctive voice, this is also the story of a father and his son, of loss, redemption and resolution.

My Swordhand is Singing

Lysh (She/Her)

I accidentally read the sequel to “My Swordhand Is Singing” by Marcus Sedgwick back in 2015. Having thoroughly enjoyed it at the time, I decided to purchase the first installment as well. 

It is important to note that at the time I read this sequel I had not read a book in 3 years, apart from those required for university. As such, my taste was rather lacking and my ability to critically review a novel was underdeveloped. At this point, I’m unsure whether I’d still enjoy the sequel given my extensive reading since then. 

I found this book slow. The characters were dull and the plot was predictable. The author’s writing style was more middle grade and less adult, which is not the standard I’d expect for a gothic novel. With that being said, I enjoyed learning about the mythology and starting point of vampires. The tone of the novel was beautiful and I think I would enjoy more from the gothic genre *if* it were written with more depth and adventure. The characters need to be fleshed out and the speech between them needs to be seriously upgraded beyond the level of a 9 year old. 

This was an unexpected outcome for this novel, but I’m glad to finally be able to say that I’ve read it, and I can sell the duo to someone who may enjoy them more. 

Recommended for 13-18 years
Rating: 2.5/5 stars 
2018: 2/40 books

My swordhand is singing

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