Summer Reading Assignment Pt 2

Midwinter Blood has a theme that is plainly stated inside the passage. That theme is love can out last all things even time. Eric's whole purpose throughout the story has been to get back to his wife after he was killed as a sacrifice by his own people. Merle's goal is the same. After being separated from her husband all she did for generations was try to be reincarnated with the man she loves. Tor's goal isn't to just break the couple up. No, Tor wants to sacrifice the reincarnated King so that children will be born on the island once more.

Time to talk about the book itself; the book is set up like a burger with several different layers. First the bun the main story before anything really begins to unfold. Then the pickles, lettuce, tomatoes all of the little stories that eventually build up to the meat of the problem. Then the book puts you back at the bun where all of the stories come together. At first it is really confusing but it gradually begins to make more sense as you read in.

Since the book is structured so that there are several small stories it doesn't give the character enough time to show and depth which makes it hard to like any characters other than the main three that constantly show up over and over in the story. Even then the characters only show a small side of themselves.

Summer Reading Assignment Pt 1

This year for my summer reading assignment I read Midwinter Blood by Marcus Sedgwick. There is a remote island called Blessed where no one ages, and no children are born, this is where our stories take place. On this mysterious island seven stories unfold: the story of the archaeologist, an airman, a painter, a ghost, a vampire and that of a Viking King. They are stories of mystery, horror, tragedy and a love so powerful and passionate it shatters time. This is Midwinterblood.

There are seven stories but only a few main characters. There is Eric the protagonist throughout the book. Since the book is comprised of several different stories he doesn't have one specific goal other than to be reunited with his wife Merle. Although the book doesn't go into depth on his character he is seen as the kind King who will do what he needs to for his people. Merle along with Eric shows up several times and even has a story told from her point of view as she helps one of Eric's reincarnated selves as a young girl aiding an old man in his final hours. Merle is seen as the loving wife and Queen that any king could ask for. As always the antagonist in a story like this is someone who wants the power and life that the King has. That person in this story is Tor. Tor is the one tries to separate the lovers at every turn and it is he who they must escape from to really be happy.

Something that I really like is how the author uses small short stories to eventually come together as on large story. Another writer that does this is Isaac Asimov who wrote a short story in 1956 called The Last Question. Unlike Isaac, Marcus Sedgwick goes back in time with each new story instead of progressing toward an eventual conclusion.
That is all I have to say on the book for now. Other than that I do recommend it its a great read until next time.