Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #98168 in Books
• Published on: 2006-05-04
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

Christine Bennett, aged 15, SUNDAY EXPRESS
'captures the awfulness of war, and the fear felt by families when their loved ones have gone to fight.'

Review
'a classy novel about a young girl going to the very centre of hell.. It's a powerful story that takes the readers into the horrors of war... This is an unforgettable no-holds-barred novel for older readers looking for a stylish and exciting read.' (John Millen SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST )

'Marcus Sedgwick's always top quality prose perfectly echoes the feeling of unease and alienation that must surround a character like Sasha... The intriguing story and its countdown effect will keep readers turning pages and the ending will challenge but will not disappoint.' (Marla Arbech YABOOKSCENTRAL.COM )

'captures the awfulness of war, and the fear felt by families when their loved ones have gone to fight.' (Christine Bennett, aged 15 SUNDAY EXPRESS )

'This book will keep you hooked on every page, and concludes with a heart-stopping twist. You can't help but admire Sasha, as she attempts the unthinkable, in her own war against fate and destiny.' (Fracie Taylor, Age 15 THE TIMES )

'gripping... it kept me guessing until the end.' (Charlotte Kemp HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW )

Jill Slotover, FINANCIAL TIMES
'...a gripping and haunting story... An original combination of historical fiction and the supernatural'

Customer Reviews

Beautiful weaving of myth and history
This is my second Sedgwick, and I'm eagerly working my way through more. What a wonderful and layered writer he is. I'm curious to see if the marriage between historical event, transposed into fiction, and the connection to myth and fairy tales continues in subsequent novels. This story of the First World War, and the journey of a young woman who becomes a VAD, and then goes to the front to search for her brother, is a remarkably clear handling of political viewpoints as they changed throughout the war; most particularly the split between a 'patriotic' population at home, who thought the war a good thing, and how the reality of the carnage affected the soldiers. Sedgwick beautifully gets under the skin of his intelligent and likeable central character, and the beginning of change for a generation of young women who were beginning to see their lives might be more than marriage and motherhood.

Sedgwick gives his account extra depth and resonance through linking the protagonist with Cassandra - hence the title of the book, as Cassandra possessed the ability to perceive tragic events, but her vision was a curse to her, as no-one believed her, and she was spurned and outcast for her abilities. Sasha, Sedgwick's central character, also has these 'gifts' and like Cassandra, they are visions of a time of war and conflict. The connection reminds us of how deeply wars are ingrained in our psyche.

Sedgwick ostensibly is writing for 'young adults'; his writing is deep and true enough to satisfy old adults as well. He reminds me so much of Alan Garner, another writer as mythic and satisfying for not yet adults and adults who have not forgotten their connection to childhood - whatever their age!

m.s
i love marcus sedgewick, he is a remarcable writer but for one flaw: his books are too short! i really wish he would continue them further instead of ending them so abruptly.

Margus Sedgewick's writing is so beautiful!
The way he writes, is so remarkable and gripping. I think it could basically hold a whole story together alone, the book was amazing, there's so much emotion, meaning, power he's put in there. The only flaw really is that the ending is predictable, so the last few chapters dwadle slightly for me.