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Worm in the Blood
By Thomas Bloor.
Published July 2005 by Faber and Faber
Worm in the Blood introduces Sam Lim-Evans, a 14-year old boy preoccupied with ordinary teenaged problems until he finds his life transformed by a mysterious birthright, something that has lain dormant within the very fabric of his DNA, until now.
How Sam tries to cope with these involuntary changes forms the heart of a story that balances brooding realism with painful fantasy, to powerful effect.
This extraordinary book signals a new direction for Bloor. Themes and influences range from werewolf movies to Grange Hill, from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader to Beowulf, and from the mysteries of the Knights Templers to humankind's unfortunate history of persistent cultural misunderstanding. Elements of the story are drawn from many sources, including British and Chinese folk tales and myths.
The author is currently at work on the sequel to Worm in the Blood, which will be published by Faber and Faber in 2006.
Winner of the CALDERDALE CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD. Short-listed for the BOLTON CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD and the HIGHLAND CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE YEAR
Reviews
"Utterly gripping…Stirring, original stuff."
Nicholas Tucker - The Independent
"It’s a great idea, beautifully set up and explained, and, like the best thrillers, it unravels its secrets scale by minute scale, using each of its 250-odd pages to maximum, gripping effect."
Edward Hardy - The Herald
"Bloor has woven myth, fantasy and harsh reality into this riveting story."
Valerie Bierman - Carousel
"An edgy but hugely gripping cross-over children’s book."
Emily Shelly - One Life Magazine
- Order this Book at Amazon
- Take the quick 'Worm in the Blood' quiz!.
- Published in July 2005
- Suitable for age 11+
