Bloodtide (novel)

Bloodtide (novel)

"Bloodtide" is a youth-fiction novel by Melvin Burgess, first published by Andersen Press Limited in 1999. It is based upon the first part of the Icelandic "Volsunga Saga".

Plot Introduction

This is the first in the series of two novels based in this universe. The book deals with two warring gangs, named the Volsons and the Connors. Each controls a large portion of London, since the city was blockaded from the outside world. Val, head of the Volsons wishes for peace between the two and offers his daughter Signy as Conor's wife in order to broker a treaty. His hopes are to unite London and destroy the half-men who occupy the outer rim of London. Once they have been destroyed, he wishes to rise up against the rest of the world and claim it all in the name of the Volson clan. Standing between these dreams are humans, half-men and even the almighty Gods themselves, who have recently begun to reappear throughout the world. The book is difficult to categorize, with much of it dealing with sci-fi, fantasy, philosophical and even religious elements.

Plot Summary

The two main characters of this story are Siggy and Signy. The twins of Val Volson, leader of the largest territory that was once London. Val wishes for peace and believes the only way to do so is to unite London under one ruler. He offers his daughter Singy as Conor's wife, in order to show his complete commitment to the Treaty. Conor agrees and shows his trust, by visiting the Volson's territory. The visit goes as planned until a banquet is interrupted by an unusual guest. A believed spy, who was strung up by his ankle returns to life and shows it was not a one time trick, as he crashes down head first from thirty or so feet up. After returning to life for the second time he walks up and down the hall. He acknowledges only Siggy and Signy, before plunging a knife deep into a believed to be unbreakable substance. All others try, but no matter how hard they pull, the knife remains within the wall. But one person knows he is the chosen one. Siggy (who wishes for anything but the responsibility of leadership) removes the knife with ease, as his father acknowledges that it was a gift from Odin himself, blessing the treaty in his own way. Conor wishes to have the knife himself and asks Siggy, claiming that as the guest of honour he is entitled. But Siggy refuses, even going so far as to plunge it into wood. But Conor cannot remove it and laughs it off, before leaving with Signy. Signy is disappointed with Siggy for not giving the knife to Conor and heads to Conor's territory annoyed at her brother.

Conor and Signy are very happy together and everything seems to be perfect. Although she is disappointed at being kept in a tower (which Conor assures her is for her own protection), she is still happy because she loves Conor. During a half-man hunt, Signy makes a shocking discovery. The half-men are not what they are reputed to be. After being cornered by a hyena-man, she is informed that Conor wishes to kill her family and claim London for his own. The hyena-man surprises her further by giving her a kitten named Cherry (who is said to have more than one shape), before leaping to the ground and meeting his end by Conor's convoy. After over a year within Conor's territory, her family come to visit. They come (as expected) heavily arnmed but are caught off guard by Conor's surprise attack. He has betrayed them. Val is killed and the three brothers are forced to surrender. The Volsons are taken to Conor's lair, being disrespected by the guards and townspeople as they go. After a few days of torture, Conor has them left out to die in the half-men lands. Their fate is to be dinner of a berserk pig who roams nearby. First Hadrian is eaten, then Ben. Before long only Siggy remains. Siggy wishes for death, but knows somehow that it is not to be. Meanwhile Signy (following being hamstrung under Conor's orders) discovers that her kitten Cherry is a shapeshifter. She informs her master that Siggy is still alive and in the hopes of pleasing Signy, rushes to his aide. Cherry helps him escape from the pig, before ensuring he is found by Melanie (another pig-woman). Melanie originally intends to sell him as a slave or at worst eat him. But she quickly begins to like Siggy and decides to help him recuperate. She helps his wounds heal and assists in his convalescence. Before long Siggy is back to normal and has struck up a deep friendship with Melanie. Meanwhile Signy has become bitter and twisted and begins to think of nothing but her revenge against Conor.

Additional Information

Stage adaptation by Marcus Romer for Pilot Theatre 2004


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Bloodtide — can refer to:*Bloodtide (novel) *Bloodtide (Doctor Who audio), an audio drama based on the British television series Doctor Who . *Bloodtide (comics) …   Wikipedia

  • Бёрджесс, Мелвин — В Википедии есть статьи о других людях с такой фамилией, см. Бёрджесс. Мелвин Бёрджес Melvin Burgess Дата рождения: 25 апреля 1954(1954 04 25) (58 лет) Место рождения: Туикенем …   Википедия

  • The Shakespeare Code — Infobox Doctor Who episode number=184 serial name= The Shakespeare Code show=DW type=episode caption=Doomfinger (not pictured), Lilith and Bloodtide look on as William Shakespeare, on stage in the Globe Theatre with Martha, the Doctor and a… …   Wikipedia

  • List of Doctor Who universe creatures and aliens — This is a list of fictional creatures and aliens from the universe of the long running BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who, including Torchwood, The Sarah Jane Adventures and K 9. It covers alien races and other fictional creatures,… …   Wikipedia

  • List of Doctor Who monsters and aliens — This is a list of monsters and aliens from the long running BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who . The list includes some races which are not extraterrestrial, but are nonetheless non human. This list is meant to cover alien races and …   Wikipedia

  • Jonathan Morris (author) — Jonathan Morris was born in Taunton England in 1973. He is an author principally known for writing various kinds of Doctor Who spin off material. His often comedic style is sometimes evocative of Douglas Adams.Fact|date=May 2008 His path to… …   Wikipedia

  • Silurian (Doctor Who) — Doctorwhorace name=Silurians type=Reptilian humanoids affiliation=Sea Devils planet=Earth start=Doctor Who and the SiluriansThe name Silurians refers to a fictional race of reptile like beings in the long running British science fiction… …   Wikipedia

  • Norse mythology in popular culture — The Norse mythology, preserved in such ancient Icelandic texts as the Poetic Edda, the Prose Edda, and other lays and sagas, was little known outside Scandinavia until the 19th century. With the widespread publication of Norse myths and legends… …   Wikipedia

  • List of Doctor Who henchmen — This is a list of henchmen, fictional characters serving villains and/or monsters and aliens in the long running British science fiction television series, Doctor Who. For other, related lists, see below. Contents: Top · 0–9 A B C D E F G H… …   Wikipedia

  • Doctor Who and the Silurians — 052 – Doctor Who and the Silurians Doctor Who serial A Silurian Cast …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”