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Wrath (Everyone Can Be a Reader
From the multi-award-winning author of Midwinterblood and The Ghosts of Heaven comes a suspenseful, gripping tale about teen life and relationships, exploring our wavering connection to the world around us.
WRATH: extreme anger or rage
Cassie Cotton has always been unusual, a bit different – but this only makes her more intriguing to her classmate Fitz.
Cassie can hear a noise that most people don’t notice or recognize, and she believes it’s a sound that shows the Earth is in distress, damaged by human activity that is causing climate change.
When this belief leads to her being ridiculed and bullied at school, Cassie disappears. Fitz is determined to find her, but he has no idea where to start looking, or if he’ll be in time to help her...
WRATH: extreme anger or rage
Cassie Cotton has always been unusual, a bit different – but this only makes her more intriguing to her classmate Fitz.
Cassie can hear a noise that most people don’t notice or recognize, and she believes it’s a sound that shows the Earth is in distress, damaged by human activity that is causing climate change.
When this belief leads to her being ridiculed and bullied at school, Cassie disappears. Fitz is determined to find her, but he has no idea where to start looking, or if he’ll be in time to help her...
136 pages, Paperback
First published March 3, 2022
7 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
About the author
Marcus Sedgwick
108 books1,578 followersMarcus Sedgwickwas a British writer and illustrator. He authored several young adult and children's books and picture books, a work of nonfiction and several novels for adults, and illustrated a collection of myths and a book of folk tales for adults.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
February 14, 2022
Outlier review here, sorry. But this book did nothing for me. 😕
Cassie Cotton has been missing since a few hours. Her friend Fitz, who is also in the same band as she is, ponders over why she must have disappeared and is determined to find her. What adds complications is that Cassie has always been unusual, more so since she claims to hear a weird humming noise from Earth. She believes this to be a distress call by the planet grappling with climate change because of human activity. Though Cassie is the prime focus of the narrative, the emotions come from Fitz’s perspective, as the story is written in his first person pov.
There are a few good themes in the book: friendship, bullying, music, respect for the planet and its resources, and parental relationships. As it is set in the present, it also offers a glimpse into children's feelings about the sudden change in lifestyle because of the lockdown. The story is set in Scotland and makes good use of the location.
One reason it fell short for me was the implementation. There are a lot of missing blanks in the story development. I mean, even something as basic as the characters’ age (or the grade they study in) isn’t mentioned. So when the story begins, you have no idea what age group the children belong to. I had to keep revising their age in my minds as clues were provided, but right till the end, I wasn’t sure of anything except that they were in the higher teenage bracket. Cassie’s parents are known environmentalists but they keep arguing with each other, to the point of being abusive. No reasons provided. Fitz’s mom has probably left his dad and him. Why? No reasons provided. With hardly any proper background, it was quite difficult to understand character motivations and empathise with them. And when the secret crush angle was added, I lost whatever little interest I had left.
Moreover, the writing style isn’t linear. While the present timeline is focussed on locating Cassie, a lot of the content is Fitz’s pondering over various past incidents, not necessarily in chronological order. So it feels quite disconnected, especially at the start. The content is also quite dire. (Barrington Stoke’s children’s books deal with dark topics frequently, but this beats them all in gloominess.)
Overall, it's a book about children but I'm not sure if it's a book for children. I didn't understand the point of it. But looking at the positive response it has received from other readers, I think I missed out on something here. Please go through their opinions before you make up your mind about this.
The recommended target age for readers as per the publishers is 12+.
My thanks to Barrington Stoke and NetGalley for the ARC of “Wrath”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Cassie Cotton has been missing since a few hours. Her friend Fitz, who is also in the same band as she is, ponders over why she must have disappeared and is determined to find her. What adds complications is that Cassie has always been unusual, more so since she claims to hear a weird humming noise from Earth. She believes this to be a distress call by the planet grappling with climate change because of human activity. Though Cassie is the prime focus of the narrative, the emotions come from Fitz’s perspective, as the story is written in his first person pov.
There are a few good themes in the book: friendship, bullying, music, respect for the planet and its resources, and parental relationships. As it is set in the present, it also offers a glimpse into children's feelings about the sudden change in lifestyle because of the lockdown. The story is set in Scotland and makes good use of the location.
One reason it fell short for me was the implementation. There are a lot of missing blanks in the story development. I mean, even something as basic as the characters’ age (or the grade they study in) isn’t mentioned. So when the story begins, you have no idea what age group the children belong to. I had to keep revising their age in my minds as clues were provided, but right till the end, I wasn’t sure of anything except that they were in the higher teenage bracket. Cassie’s parents are known environmentalists but they keep arguing with each other, to the point of being abusive. No reasons provided. Fitz’s mom has probably left his dad and him. Why? No reasons provided. With hardly any proper background, it was quite difficult to understand character motivations and empathise with them. And when the secret crush angle was added, I lost whatever little interest I had left.
Moreover, the writing style isn’t linear. While the present timeline is focussed on locating Cassie, a lot of the content is Fitz’s pondering over various past incidents, not necessarily in chronological order. So it feels quite disconnected, especially at the start. The content is also quite dire. (Barrington Stoke’s children’s books deal with dark topics frequently, but this beats them all in gloominess.)
Overall, it's a book about children but I'm not sure if it's a book for children. I didn't understand the point of it. But looking at the positive response it has received from other readers, I think I missed out on something here. Please go through their opinions before you make up your mind about this.
The recommended target age for readers as per the publishers is 12+.
My thanks to Barrington Stoke and NetGalley for the ARC of “Wrath”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
December 14, 2024
Niet mijn ding
July 13, 2024
Echt een aanrader ! Kort en krachtig verhaal, mooie woorden. Mijn eerste verhaal dat ik lees dat zich deels afspeelt in lockdown, het leven van jongeren en hun zorgen… + speelt zich af in Schotland !!
February 28, 2023
Wrath is a novel by Marcus Sedgwick about Cassie, an usually different person and the more socially awkward Fitz. Cassie hears a loud hum that others cannot and believes this is the sound of the Earth damaged by humans. This leads to her being trolled in her school and eventually Cassie disappears, leading Fitz to try and find her.
This was a surprisingly intricate and well-written novel that read intelligently. Sedgwick has created a young adult piece of art that carried me head first through each page of it's wacky and wonderful mystery. The change in timelines from past and present gave us the slow drip of what happened previously but it also kept me interested until the very last word. I don't usually like a story that involves current events but Sedgwick lightly touched upon lockdown and turned that into the front of a teenage love story and the implications of this limited freedom. Sedgwick described the feelings and awkwardness of young romance that gave us the rare care and conviction that was needed to showcase just how much these characters are effected by these going-ons.
This was a short read that built upon its foundations, using the end of the world as an improbable entrance to Cassie and her efforts whilst looking at ecological and social messages that prove captivating and multi-dimension. A very thrilling read for all to enjoy.
This was a surprisingly intricate and well-written novel that read intelligently. Sedgwick has created a young adult piece of art that carried me head first through each page of it's wacky and wonderful mystery. The change in timelines from past and present gave us the slow drip of what happened previously but it also kept me interested until the very last word. I don't usually like a story that involves current events but Sedgwick lightly touched upon lockdown and turned that into the front of a teenage love story and the implications of this limited freedom. Sedgwick described the feelings and awkwardness of young romance that gave us the rare care and conviction that was needed to showcase just how much these characters are effected by these going-ons.
This was a short read that built upon its foundations, using the end of the world as an improbable entrance to Cassie and her efforts whilst looking at ecological and social messages that prove captivating and multi-dimension. A very thrilling read for all to enjoy.
February 19, 2022
I thought this was just okay. Despite an interesting premise and opening chapter, the story felt choppy and lacked the suspense that the synopsis seems to hint at. I didn't feel particularly attached to the characters either.
This book covers quite a few topics but not always in an effective way. For instance, it raises good points about environmentalism but also borders on preachy at times. The Hum was interesting though; I had no idea it really existed.
There are references to lockdown and I appreciate the book exploring how people cope/react to it. However, I didn't care to read about the characters breaking the law and breaching safety measures.
Overall, a quick and rather forgettable tale.
Thank you to Netgalley and Barrington Stoke for an ARC of this book.
This book covers quite a few topics but not always in an effective way. For instance, it raises good points about environmentalism but also borders on preachy at times. The Hum was interesting though; I had no idea it really existed.
There are references to lockdown and I appreciate the book exploring how people cope/react to it. However, I didn't care to read about the characters breaking the law and breaching safety measures.
Overall, a quick and rather forgettable tale.
Thank you to Netgalley and Barrington Stoke for an ARC of this book.
December 31, 2022
You absolutely have to read to the end of this book. The ending brings all the threads together in such a resounding way.
With themes of lockdown claustrophobia, bullying, climate change and domestic aggression and maternal abandonment, seen through the eyes of Fitz, this book will take the reader on a journey.
Final note, in the last few chapters I realised Fitz and his Dad remind me of the Father/Son characters in Love, Actually played by Liam Neeson & Thomas Sangster.
With themes of lockdown claustrophobia, bullying, climate change and domestic aggression and maternal abandonment, seen through the eyes of Fitz, this book will take the reader on a journey.
Final note, in the last few chapters I realised Fitz and his Dad remind me of the Father/Son characters in Love, Actually played by Liam Neeson & Thomas Sangster.
August 22, 2024
YA - I read this in the perpetual pursuit of an appealing non-fantasy novel to study with my year 9-10 classes. The ideas here looked promising and the presentation/format was appealing, but the book didn’t grab me. Well-written and a good pace, but It didn’t quite seem to be enough about any of the good things it could have been about (climate change, friendship, music, mental illness, family violence), touching on them all briefly and incompletely.
March 19, 2022
Worryingly relevant and powerful, Wrath is a suspenseful story about teen life during a pandemic and how damaging climate change really is to our planet.
As lockdown shackles everyone to their homes, Fitz’s friend Cassie begins to hear a humming noise. The earth is in distress after years of climate change damage at the hands of careless people.
Cassie becomes obsessed with the haunting hum echoing from deep within the earth and bullies target her at school. Soon after, she goes missing and Fitz begins to unravel the mystery of the strange noise only Cassie can hear.
A short Barrington Stoke novel which carefully highlights the delicate nature of our planet as it hits a critical point in its precious lifespan.
March 27, 2025
Kids found the story interesting from start to finish! Liked that it was set in Scotland 🤓
March 20, 2022
Wrath tells the story of Cassie Cotton, a teenage girl who's been struggling during the Covid lock-down, who's been hearing this strange humming noise, and who suddenly goes missing one day. Left behind with no idea what might have happened to her, her best friend Fitz tries desperately to figure out what could have happened to Cassie.
Wrath is the latest children's book release from publisher Barrington Stoke, a publisher that has been producing some excellent children's reads. Normally with their books there's a theme to them, a topic that they're dealing with in some way. Sometimes this is a story about wildfires that help raise awareness of nature and global warming, or stories about a family struggling to get by that teaches young readers about poverty and how hard some people in the UK have it. Often the themes are pretty obvious, and central to the book; but it took me a while to see the central themes in Wrath.
The book begins with Cassie, already being missing. She's just vanished and people are still trying to figure out when she might have disappeared, and where she could have gone. One of these people is Fitz, one of her best friends, her band-mate, and someone who secretly has a crush on her. Over lock-down Cassie had been messaging Fitz, as well as secretly meeting him in the middle of the night, telling him about a strange humming sound that she's been hearing.
As the days pass, Cassie keeps insisting that she can hear the hum, that it's always there when its quiet, and that she thinks it the sound of the earth itself. Whilst Fitz wants to be a good friend to her, he can't hear the sound, and as the days pass other people hear about Cassie's sound, and start mocking her for it. When Fitz stupidly agrees with one of his friends that Cassie might be crazy she overhears this, and it's the last time that he sees her before she vanishes.
With the police searching for her, Fitz believes that the sound might be connected with her disappearance somehow, and starts to search through everything she sent him about it. Desperate to find his friend, to tell her he's sorry, and that he loves her, Fitz will go to impossible lengths to get her back.
Wrath tells its story across a series of flashbacks, scattered over the days when Cassie goes missing, showing both how Fitz is dealing with his friend being gone, as well as what led them both to this point. The story unfolds slowly, with small pieces of the puzzle being handed to readers as Fitz starts to piece together what might have happened. Because of this, it's not clear at first what might be going on.
For the longest time I was left wondering if perhaps there would be some kind of supernatural element to the book, that the hum would be something real, something that could have whisked Cassie away from her home. Whilst there's no explanation for the hum by the end of the book, it eventually becomes clear that this is a much more down to earth story; one about relationships and wanting to escape.
You see, Cassie is going through a difficult home life leading up to her disappearance. Yes, she has both parents living with her, and they're pretty rich, a stark contrast to Fitz who lives with his father and struggles to get by, but thanks to her parents relationship going through a rough patch she's living in a house filled with constant arguments. She's being subjected to shouts and screams, the sound of broken things, and is trying to drown that noise out. Her disappearance is as much about escaping her family as it is trying to figure out what the hum is.
The relationship between her and Fitz is also given a lot of weight, and most of the scenes in the book involve the two of them, or at least relate to their connection with each other. Fitz is either spending time with Cassie, thinking about her, searching for her, or wanting to make things better with her. And this huge focus he has on her could have easily come across as creepy, some kind of teen obsession, yet it doesn't. There's another character in the book who is written this way, and there's such a sharp contrast between him and Fitz; you see that Fitz isn't some love-struck teen, desperate to just possess the girl he loves, but an actual decent person with a damn fine heart.
By the end of Wrath its clear that this is a story about love, about relationships, and about escaping the things that bring you pain. It shows how those around you can be hurt by your actions, even if you don't think so. Cassie was hurt by her parents, and her leaving hurt Fitz. But ultimately it's these connections that help save her come the end, that ground Cassie and show her that she doesn't have to face the huge, frightening world all on her own. And because of that, I think the book has a wonderful message behind it.
Wrath is the latest children's book release from publisher Barrington Stoke, a publisher that has been producing some excellent children's reads. Normally with their books there's a theme to them, a topic that they're dealing with in some way. Sometimes this is a story about wildfires that help raise awareness of nature and global warming, or stories about a family struggling to get by that teaches young readers about poverty and how hard some people in the UK have it. Often the themes are pretty obvious, and central to the book; but it took me a while to see the central themes in Wrath.
The book begins with Cassie, already being missing. She's just vanished and people are still trying to figure out when she might have disappeared, and where she could have gone. One of these people is Fitz, one of her best friends, her band-mate, and someone who secretly has a crush on her. Over lock-down Cassie had been messaging Fitz, as well as secretly meeting him in the middle of the night, telling him about a strange humming sound that she's been hearing.
As the days pass, Cassie keeps insisting that she can hear the hum, that it's always there when its quiet, and that she thinks it the sound of the earth itself. Whilst Fitz wants to be a good friend to her, he can't hear the sound, and as the days pass other people hear about Cassie's sound, and start mocking her for it. When Fitz stupidly agrees with one of his friends that Cassie might be crazy she overhears this, and it's the last time that he sees her before she vanishes.
With the police searching for her, Fitz believes that the sound might be connected with her disappearance somehow, and starts to search through everything she sent him about it. Desperate to find his friend, to tell her he's sorry, and that he loves her, Fitz will go to impossible lengths to get her back.
Wrath tells its story across a series of flashbacks, scattered over the days when Cassie goes missing, showing both how Fitz is dealing with his friend being gone, as well as what led them both to this point. The story unfolds slowly, with small pieces of the puzzle being handed to readers as Fitz starts to piece together what might have happened. Because of this, it's not clear at first what might be going on.
For the longest time I was left wondering if perhaps there would be some kind of supernatural element to the book, that the hum would be something real, something that could have whisked Cassie away from her home. Whilst there's no explanation for the hum by the end of the book, it eventually becomes clear that this is a much more down to earth story; one about relationships and wanting to escape.
You see, Cassie is going through a difficult home life leading up to her disappearance. Yes, she has both parents living with her, and they're pretty rich, a stark contrast to Fitz who lives with his father and struggles to get by, but thanks to her parents relationship going through a rough patch she's living in a house filled with constant arguments. She's being subjected to shouts and screams, the sound of broken things, and is trying to drown that noise out. Her disappearance is as much about escaping her family as it is trying to figure out what the hum is.
The relationship between her and Fitz is also given a lot of weight, and most of the scenes in the book involve the two of them, or at least relate to their connection with each other. Fitz is either spending time with Cassie, thinking about her, searching for her, or wanting to make things better with her. And this huge focus he has on her could have easily come across as creepy, some kind of teen obsession, yet it doesn't. There's another character in the book who is written this way, and there's such a sharp contrast between him and Fitz; you see that Fitz isn't some love-struck teen, desperate to just possess the girl he loves, but an actual decent person with a damn fine heart.
By the end of Wrath its clear that this is a story about love, about relationships, and about escaping the things that bring you pain. It shows how those around you can be hurt by your actions, even if you don't think so. Cassie was hurt by her parents, and her leaving hurt Fitz. But ultimately it's these connections that help save her come the end, that ground Cassie and show her that she doesn't have to face the huge, frightening world all on her own. And because of that, I think the book has a wonderful message behind it.
April 12, 2023
this just sadly did not work for me at all.
first of all i do not like a lockdown setting, like it's just not something i want to read about at all. but i was interested in the rest of the premise so i continued.
the biggest problem is that absolutely everything feels underdeveloped. it's not a problem with the length because short books can be super developed and fleshed out but this one just wasn't. i felt like we barely knew the characters and therefore i just didn't feel connected at all. a lot of things i also feel like we were told but i did not see them at all. like cassie is this weird girl even before she starts to hear the humming, but like sorry where was the weirdness?? she's supposedly the weird outcast girl at school but that did not show in her character and how she was presented at all. also francis (one of the bandmates of the mc fitz) supposedly likes cassie but like why?? and if so why does he treat her like she's crazy?? also the mc fitz also likes cassie and again why?? i got none of their chemistry or even much of an idea of cassie as a character. and she also likes fitz (although they never have any actual romantic interaction so presumably from her side it's just an interest in him as a friend) but like i just didn't get why him? idk all the characters and relationships just felt really bland and surface level to me.
i will say i did like the main aspect of the book which is the hum and the ambiguity of it. i like the scene where the band play cassie's "new sound" which basically felt like they were connected to the hum of the earth kind of thing. I enjoyed the atmosphere of that scene and the way the sound was described. i like music scenes where the music is like emotional and meaningful in that way and for the characters feels like consuming in a good way. so that was nice.
overall, the plot wasn't super interesting (although like i said i didn't mind/liked that the "hum" had an ambiguous explanation/ending), but the writing was fine and super readable and quick to get through. it is categorised as a thriller but there wasn't much tension through out. i only felt tension towards the end as fitz and his dad travel to find cassie and i think the atmosphere of the setting lended itself well to created some more tension and it was utilised well for that. but yeah overall not much mystery or tension. possibly a due to the simplicity of the characters or writing.
in summary this just wasn't really for me; i think it would maybe work for younger readers. but i kept reading because i was interested in the initial concept, it was super quick and despite all my critiques it wasn't boring. (1 star feels harsh i'm sorry like it wasn't a super terrible awful book but not on the same level of enjoyment or quality of my 2 star standard. i did not enjoy it i guess but i definitely didn't hate it.. i was just kind of reading it lol)
first of all i do not like a lockdown setting, like it's just not something i want to read about at all. but i was interested in the rest of the premise so i continued.
the biggest problem is that absolutely everything feels underdeveloped. it's not a problem with the length because short books can be super developed and fleshed out but this one just wasn't. i felt like we barely knew the characters and therefore i just didn't feel connected at all. a lot of things i also feel like we were told but i did not see them at all. like cassie is this weird girl even before she starts to hear the humming, but like sorry where was the weirdness?? she's supposedly the weird outcast girl at school but that did not show in her character and how she was presented at all. also francis (one of the bandmates of the mc fitz) supposedly likes cassie but like why?? and if so why does he treat her like she's crazy?? also the mc fitz also likes cassie and again why?? i got none of their chemistry or even much of an idea of cassie as a character. and she also likes fitz (although they never have any actual romantic interaction so presumably from her side it's just an interest in him as a friend) but like i just didn't get why him? idk all the characters and relationships just felt really bland and surface level to me.
i will say i did like the main aspect of the book which is the hum and the ambiguity of it. i like the scene where the band play cassie's "new sound" which basically felt like they were connected to the hum of the earth kind of thing. I enjoyed the atmosphere of that scene and the way the sound was described. i like music scenes where the music is like emotional and meaningful in that way and for the characters feels like consuming in a good way. so that was nice.
overall, the plot wasn't super interesting (although like i said i didn't mind/liked that the "hum" had an ambiguous explanation/ending), but the writing was fine and super readable and quick to get through. it is categorised as a thriller but there wasn't much tension through out. i only felt tension towards the end as fitz and his dad travel to find cassie and i think the atmosphere of the setting lended itself well to created some more tension and it was utilised well for that. but yeah overall not much mystery or tension. possibly a due to the simplicity of the characters or writing.
in summary this just wasn't really for me; i think it would maybe work for younger readers. but i kept reading because i was interested in the initial concept, it was super quick and despite all my critiques it wasn't boring. (1 star feels harsh i'm sorry like it wasn't a super terrible awful book but not on the same level of enjoyment or quality of my 2 star standard. i did not enjoy it i guess but i definitely didn't hate it.. i was just kind of reading it lol)
May 3, 2024
I just picked it off the shelf tonight at work and as it's rainy felt to read it in one go. Opening it up, saw it has dyslexia-friendly font & page colour. Reading the reviews, looked up the publisher Barrington Stoke & found it specialises in books for dyslexic & reluctant younger readers. Dunno if children/teens would pick these themselves or they're usually adult-selected. Not really what I felt like reading. Definitely for teens, it has a dark atmosphere in places which is actually enhanced by the simplicity of the writing - gives it an eerie and blank vibe, like a radio transmission wavering in and out of hearing range. Undertones of aliens, conspiracy theories, dystopia, uncovering new layers of consciousness. It's really short - like a novella, I feel like it could have been a much better book if the readability restrictions weren't there. Wow, I think as an author you'd have to specialise in writing within these format restrictions to create a high quality work. This felt seriously edited, like an extract from a full-size novel, or the draft of a novel's structure.
I wonder if the female lead's name is a reference to 'I capture the castle'. If so, it's pretty random - this ain't that tone. The character is obviously inspired by Luna Lovegood. Which is getting old. It's either Luna or Greta - don't like the enviro-babe stereotyping. The white hair is a bit much. There's a vague cli-fi theme. Her parents are environmentalists, she hears some weird humming sound constantly which seems to be coming from the earth. She found a website dedicated to documentation of others who also hear this sound. It's 1% of the population. She tries to recreate it with her high school garage band & it sounds like a new music, something they have never heard before. This is all interesting snd promising.
The girl has disappeared. Fitz, the boy who has a crush on her is the story's narrator. He shifts from describing before and after the disappearance. I lost interest when the themes changed suddenly from cli-fi to family drama and relationship. The environmentalist parents constantly argue aggressively with each other. Cassie's disappearance ends up not being connected to the humming sound, so this isn't explored further. It's more attributed to the situation with her parents and general teen angst, oh & the post-lockdown setting no doubt. Bummer, I felt like reading something cozy.
****I just read that the author passed away in November 2022. This was his last work of fiction. He published a non-fiction work after it.
I wonder if the female lead's name is a reference to 'I capture the castle'. If so, it's pretty random - this ain't that tone. The character is obviously inspired by Luna Lovegood. Which is getting old. It's either Luna or Greta - don't like the enviro-babe stereotyping. The white hair is a bit much. There's a vague cli-fi theme. Her parents are environmentalists, she hears some weird humming sound constantly which seems to be coming from the earth. She found a website dedicated to documentation of others who also hear this sound. It's 1% of the population. She tries to recreate it with her high school garage band & it sounds like a new music, something they have never heard before. This is all interesting snd promising.
The girl has disappeared. Fitz, the boy who has a crush on her is the story's narrator. He shifts from describing before and after the disappearance. I lost interest when the themes changed suddenly from cli-fi to family drama and relationship. The environmentalist parents constantly argue aggressively with each other. Cassie's disappearance ends up not being connected to the humming sound, so this isn't explored further. It's more attributed to the situation with her parents and general teen angst, oh & the post-lockdown setting no doubt. Bummer, I felt like reading something cozy.
****I just read that the author passed away in November 2022. This was his last work of fiction. He published a non-fiction work after it.
November 6, 2023
This is a fairly short book, but it contains a powerful message. As an audiobook, it's just under two hours in listening time. Set in Scotland (I believe) Cassie and Fitz are our two main characters.
Fitz is being raised by his very supportive though sometimes flighty dad, his mom having left one day with little to no warning. Paycheck to paycheck is how he and his dad live, but Fitz always has what he needs, and his Dad works hard to give him the little extras that matter.
Cassie is raised in a two (original) parent household, resides in an affluent neighborhood, and money is never an issue. Her parents worked to be rich, then quit jobs and became environmentalists establishing a non-profit organization they run together.
Money and two parents don't necessarily mean all is well, but Cassie is silent as to whether it's homelife or something else that seems to weigh on her. Also, Cassie has begun to hear a noise that is a little known global phenomenon. If the reader hasn't heard of it, it's interesting in itself alone.
Fitz struggles to own his truths and opinions. Often, he finds himself in awkward situations as hell buckle under peer pressure and agree with opinions or statements he doesn't believe or feel the same about. He struggles to cast that part of himself off and stand on his own two feet as the man he wants to be.
Cassie and Fitz are two members of a four member band and drama dwells there as well. Cassie interactions with Fitz outside of the other band members could potentially lead to problems in the future as well as hurting those he cares about. Egos and the more talented owning it also lend us drama to stir the pot.
Though the story is 116 pages read or 2 hours listening it left me with powerful messages of empathy, finding oneself, standing up for oneself and others, never to judge a book by its cover, money does not equal happiness nor solve all of life's problems, stand firm and wholeheartedly in your beliefs and truths otherwise its pretty much fake and lastly pay attention and do what is needed should you believe someone needs help or is suffering in some way.
There is a magical realism effect when characters discuss certain things in this book or when a character is contemplative aka inside their head. I very much enjoyed those parts as it's dreamy sort of. I'm not explaining that well, so you'll have to check it out to find out for yourself.
Fitz is being raised by his very supportive though sometimes flighty dad, his mom having left one day with little to no warning. Paycheck to paycheck is how he and his dad live, but Fitz always has what he needs, and his Dad works hard to give him the little extras that matter.
Cassie is raised in a two (original) parent household, resides in an affluent neighborhood, and money is never an issue. Her parents worked to be rich, then quit jobs and became environmentalists establishing a non-profit organization they run together.
Money and two parents don't necessarily mean all is well, but Cassie is silent as to whether it's homelife or something else that seems to weigh on her. Also, Cassie has begun to hear a noise that is a little known global phenomenon. If the reader hasn't heard of it, it's interesting in itself alone.
Fitz struggles to own his truths and opinions. Often, he finds himself in awkward situations as hell buckle under peer pressure and agree with opinions or statements he doesn't believe or feel the same about. He struggles to cast that part of himself off and stand on his own two feet as the man he wants to be.
Cassie and Fitz are two members of a four member band and drama dwells there as well. Cassie interactions with Fitz outside of the other band members could potentially lead to problems in the future as well as hurting those he cares about. Egos and the more talented owning it also lend us drama to stir the pot.
Though the story is 116 pages read or 2 hours listening it left me with powerful messages of empathy, finding oneself, standing up for oneself and others, never to judge a book by its cover, money does not equal happiness nor solve all of life's problems, stand firm and wholeheartedly in your beliefs and truths otherwise its pretty much fake and lastly pay attention and do what is needed should you believe someone needs help or is suffering in some way.
There is a magical realism effect when characters discuss certain things in this book or when a character is contemplative aka inside their head. I very much enjoyed those parts as it's dreamy sort of. I'm not explaining that well, so you'll have to check it out to find out for yourself.
October 29, 2025
This book is really meant for young readers and is supposed to be accessible to read for many different types of people. The story is fairly simple, but it is a bit of a mystery where you are never quite sure what genre it is going to turn into. So, you keep going through the story wondering if anything is going to happen. Not much happens but I do believe it has a lot of good lessons and philosophical questions in the book.
It is clear that we are supposed to be listening more to the environment around us and that we need to get back to our native roots as human beings. We need to listen to our inner world and to connect to others around us. The setting taking placing during the prime of COVID-19 makes the message timely. It deals with the vulnerability of what it means to be human. To be young and exploring who you are and where you are going in life. Just trying to figure everything out.
Francis is on my shitlist, so I hope that kid gets the help he needs in the future I do not want him to continue to grow into a creepy grown man. Cassie is just a poor girl struggling with something that no many other around her can or are willing to understand. She is experiencing trauma and deals with isolation from her arguing parents, likely neglecting her emotional health. I am glad we got such a good parental figure in Fitz's dad (jealous) and that Cassie's parents are saying they will do better. There is clearly lots going on for the character from the little that we do learn so it does a good job exploring youth and having to navigate difficult things at such a young age.
Overall, this book was pretty good at exploring characters and dealing with several deep topics for its younger readers. Overall, I was kind of bored by the light plot partially due to it's limited page length. I wouldn't be opposed to reading more but I cannot say it ended up going anywhere exciting plot-wise.
It is clear that we are supposed to be listening more to the environment around us and that we need to get back to our native roots as human beings. We need to listen to our inner world and to connect to others around us. The setting taking placing during the prime of COVID-19 makes the message timely. It deals with the vulnerability of what it means to be human. To be young and exploring who you are and where you are going in life. Just trying to figure everything out.
Francis is on my shitlist, so I hope that kid gets the help he needs in the future I do not want him to continue to grow into a creepy grown man. Cassie is just a poor girl struggling with something that no many other around her can or are willing to understand. She is experiencing trauma and deals with isolation from her arguing parents, likely neglecting her emotional health. I am glad we got such a good parental figure in Fitz's dad (jealous) and that Cassie's parents are saying they will do better. There is clearly lots going on for the character from the little that we do learn so it does a good job exploring youth and having to navigate difficult things at such a young age.
Overall, this book was pretty good at exploring characters and dealing with several deep topics for its younger readers. Overall, I was kind of bored by the light plot partially due to it's limited page length. I wouldn't be opposed to reading more but I cannot say it ended up going anywhere exciting plot-wise.
March 19, 2022
I’ve loved everything I’ve ever read by Marcus Sedgwick, so I was thrilled when I got approved for this ARC. His writing is usually so deep and layered and convoluted in the best possible ways. His books are a mind game that twists you up before getting to the end.
WRATH was not like that at all. To the point where I was left wondering if my ARC was missing some pages or something. It’s exceptionally short, much shorter than his previous work (that I’ve read, anyway), and the story is just . . . blah.
There’s no real character development for Fitz, and Cassie is the real focal point of the story but spends very little time actually on the page. The hum that keeps being alluded to just doesn’t go anywhere, and it ended up being a very basic ‘teen hates her homelife’ story. Considering her parents, I don’t blame her, but because I’ve read other Sedgwick books, I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. It never dropped.
I’m disappointed in just how bland the story is and how those weird little elements that kept getting mentioned just fell flat. They were used as teases throughout, but never amounted to anything.
I read WRATH expecting a MARCUS SEDGWICK book, and all I got was a very pale comparison to the stories I’m used to. There was no real tension, Fitz was simply a tool to get through the story (Cassie’s story, I might add, I think the whole thing is told from the wrong POV, IMO), and there’s no payout on the underlying elements used as tension to get the reader through the story. From a formatting perspective, my ARC was a mess, so maybe there was something in the style that added to the story that I’m missing here, but I highly doubt it would add that much.
I’m just so disappointed.
1.5
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
WRATH was not like that at all. To the point where I was left wondering if my ARC was missing some pages or something. It’s exceptionally short, much shorter than his previous work (that I’ve read, anyway), and the story is just . . . blah.
There’s no real character development for Fitz, and Cassie is the real focal point of the story but spends very little time actually on the page. The hum that keeps being alluded to just doesn’t go anywhere, and it ended up being a very basic ‘teen hates her homelife’ story. Considering her parents, I don’t blame her, but because I’ve read other Sedgwick books, I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. It never dropped.
I’m disappointed in just how bland the story is and how those weird little elements that kept getting mentioned just fell flat. They were used as teases throughout, but never amounted to anything.
I read WRATH expecting a MARCUS SEDGWICK book, and all I got was a very pale comparison to the stories I’m used to. There was no real tension, Fitz was simply a tool to get through the story (Cassie’s story, I might add, I think the whole thing is told from the wrong POV, IMO), and there’s no payout on the underlying elements used as tension to get the reader through the story. From a formatting perspective, my ARC was a mess, so maybe there was something in the style that added to the story that I’m missing here, but I highly doubt it would add that much.
I’m just so disappointed.
1.5
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 18, 2022
This story is set through a summertime of COVID lockdown. Fitz really likes enigmatic Cassie a lot, but of course he hasn’t told her that. Although they are from very different backgrounds, they are in the same band at school, trying to figure out which type of music to play. The two friends start secretly meeting in the park at night because Fitz is keen to make a connection and Cassie reveals that she can hear a sound. All the time. But no one else can hear it and no one believes her. When this gets out, her peers ridicule her and she mysteriously vanishes. The climax of the story is a mad chaotic dash to the place Fitz thinks Cassie is headed, not knowing what they will find.
This book touches on themes of teenage and family relationships and mental health, trust, anger and wrath, as well as our environment. Cassie has problems within her wealthy middle-class family, her parents argue all the time and she desperately wants to escape. Fitz is navigating the stormy waters of teenage friendships and love, supported by his unemployed dad after his mum left. As much as Cassie is enigmatic, Fitz is warm, open and thoughtful, caring about the girl he secretly loves. By means of flashbacks, gradually the story is uncovered and the threads come together to help Fitz figure out where Cassie might be. This is a thought provoking short book, which I enjoyed and I think it would suitable for Years 7, 8 and 9.
This book is published by Barrington Stoke, who are well known for their super readable selection of titles. The content is aimed at readers 12+ but the text has a reading age of 9. This makes it a ‘quick read’ but one that is engaging for confident readers and those less so. Marcus Sedgewick is a great storyteller in any case but to write such a suspenseful and atmospheric story in only 131 pages is an immense achievement.
This book touches on themes of teenage and family relationships and mental health, trust, anger and wrath, as well as our environment. Cassie has problems within her wealthy middle-class family, her parents argue all the time and she desperately wants to escape. Fitz is navigating the stormy waters of teenage friendships and love, supported by his unemployed dad after his mum left. As much as Cassie is enigmatic, Fitz is warm, open and thoughtful, caring about the girl he secretly loves. By means of flashbacks, gradually the story is uncovered and the threads come together to help Fitz figure out where Cassie might be. This is a thought provoking short book, which I enjoyed and I think it would suitable for Years 7, 8 and 9.
This book is published by Barrington Stoke, who are well known for their super readable selection of titles. The content is aimed at readers 12+ but the text has a reading age of 9. This makes it a ‘quick read’ but one that is engaging for confident readers and those less so. Marcus Sedgewick is a great storyteller in any case but to write such a suspenseful and atmospheric story in only 131 pages is an immense achievement.
December 30, 2024
Cassie can hear the earth crying out for help, but no one believes her. Even Fitz has a hard time believing she can hear a constant low rumble from the earth. After Fitz tells others what Cassie can hear and she gets mercilessly bullied, Cassie runs away. The trail runs cold and the police are at a loss until Fitz finds a clue to her whereabouts. Then it’s a race against time to find Cassie before it’s too late.
One of the things that makes “Wrath” really interesting is that the story has flashbacks to lock downs and social distancing. It is discussed in a matter-of-fact type of way, including the cost of isolation on mental health. In a scant 138 pages, the story also addresses parents who are too caught up in their own lives to really see their child, parental abandonment, poverty, socio-economic class divide, and teen relationship dynamics.
This story is great for readers who enjoy mysteries and stories of friendship. “Wrath” is part of an ongoing series of books that are formatted to support those who have reading challenges, including dyslexia. I read the e-ARC of this story, but have seen physical copies of other titles in this series in my local bookstore. The books are short, generally less than 150 pages. As promised in the blurb, the paper is cream-colored and the font is more dyslexia-friendly than what you would find in a typical book.
I received an advance review copy for free from Netgalley and Union Square & Co., and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
One of the things that makes “Wrath” really interesting is that the story has flashbacks to lock downs and social distancing. It is discussed in a matter-of-fact type of way, including the cost of isolation on mental health. In a scant 138 pages, the story also addresses parents who are too caught up in their own lives to really see their child, parental abandonment, poverty, socio-economic class divide, and teen relationship dynamics.
This story is great for readers who enjoy mysteries and stories of friendship. “Wrath” is part of an ongoing series of books that are formatted to support those who have reading challenges, including dyslexia. I read the e-ARC of this story, but have seen physical copies of other titles in this series in my local bookstore. The books are short, generally less than 150 pages. As promised in the blurb, the paper is cream-colored and the font is more dyslexia-friendly than what you would find in a typical book.
I received an advance review copy for free from Netgalley and Union Square & Co., and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 3, 2022
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.
This book was so engrossing and engaging. The writing style was so easy to read and flowed perfectly from beginning to end, making this book difficult to put down. It was accessible whilst still having and absolutely incredible plot.
The narrative voice was stunning. I loved the way that much of the book was Fit looking back on memories of Cassie prior to her disappearance, seeing them in a new light with her being missing. I also adored their relationship/friendship, it was so sweet and realistic. They clearly cared for and trusted one another but Fitz still maybe didn't say the right thing at times. It was just so true and honest a depiction.
I also think this weaved in lockdown and the pandemic so naturally, this book really heavily features some of the most stressful parts of reality yet it still managed to be an escape to read. The narrative on climate change, the necessity for hope and change was beautifully tackled and interwoven.
Finally, the prose was just gorgeous. I've highlighted sections in my copy because they're just so prominent and stunning. This really is a masterpiece of a book.
This book was so engrossing and engaging. The writing style was so easy to read and flowed perfectly from beginning to end, making this book difficult to put down. It was accessible whilst still having and absolutely incredible plot.
The narrative voice was stunning. I loved the way that much of the book was Fit looking back on memories of Cassie prior to her disappearance, seeing them in a new light with her being missing. I also adored their relationship/friendship, it was so sweet and realistic. They clearly cared for and trusted one another but Fitz still maybe didn't say the right thing at times. It was just so true and honest a depiction.
I also think this weaved in lockdown and the pandemic so naturally, this book really heavily features some of the most stressful parts of reality yet it still managed to be an escape to read. The narrative on climate change, the necessity for hope and change was beautifully tackled and interwoven.
Finally, the prose was just gorgeous. I've highlighted sections in my copy because they're just so prominent and stunning. This really is a masterpiece of a book.
March 17, 2022
The book opens with a date and time and the first sentence is that "Cassie has now been missing for six hours."
This instantly draws the reader into the mystery surrounding Cassie's disappearance. Fitz is telling us his and Cassie's story and the surrounding story of their school, their band and families all against the backdrop of Lockdown 2020.
We find out that Cassie has been hearing a noise that no-one else seems to be able to hear. We also find out that her life, whilst seemingly perfect with well-to-do parents, isn't quite what it seems. But where has Cassie gone? Can Fitz work it out? Should he tell the police or not because he is worried about Cassie and what she wants?
This isn't my normal read (I'm a primary school TA) but it was a stunning book. Just remembering how hard Lockdown 1 was for everyones mental health, especially children of all ages without the ability to see friends makes this books story feel so real. The hunt for Cassie is quite scary - as an adult I certainly know the worst does happen in real life sometimes, and Cassie's mental health is at the forefront of this story. We find that Fitz is the best kind of friend you can have.
This instantly draws the reader into the mystery surrounding Cassie's disappearance. Fitz is telling us his and Cassie's story and the surrounding story of their school, their band and families all against the backdrop of Lockdown 2020.
We find out that Cassie has been hearing a noise that no-one else seems to be able to hear. We also find out that her life, whilst seemingly perfect with well-to-do parents, isn't quite what it seems. But where has Cassie gone? Can Fitz work it out? Should he tell the police or not because he is worried about Cassie and what she wants?
This isn't my normal read (I'm a primary school TA) but it was a stunning book. Just remembering how hard Lockdown 1 was for everyones mental health, especially children of all ages without the ability to see friends makes this books story feel so real. The hunt for Cassie is quite scary - as an adult I certainly know the worst does happen in real life sometimes, and Cassie's mental health is at the forefront of this story. We find that Fitz is the best kind of friend you can have.
March 26, 2022
The book opens with a date and time and the first sentence is that "Cassie has now been missing for six hours."
This instantly draws the reader into the mystery surrounding Cassie's disappearance. Fitz is telling us his and Cassie's story and the surrounding story of their school, their band and families all against the backdrop of Lockdown 2020.
We find out that Cassie has been hearing a noise that no-one else seems to be able to hear. We also find out that her life, whilst seemingly perfect with well-to-do parents, isn't quite what it seems. But where has Cassie gone? Can Fitz work it out? Should he tell the police or not because he is worried about Cassie and what she wants?
This isn't my normal read (I'm a primary school TA) but it was a stunning book. Just remembering how hard Lockdown 1 was for everyones mental health, especially children of all ages without the ability to see friends makes this books story feel so real. The hunt for Cassie is quite scary - as an adult I certainly know the worst does happen in real life sometimes, and Cassie's mental health is at the forefront of this story. We find that Fitz is the best kind of friend you can have.
This instantly draws the reader into the mystery surrounding Cassie's disappearance. Fitz is telling us his and Cassie's story and the surrounding story of their school, their band and families all against the backdrop of Lockdown 2020.
We find out that Cassie has been hearing a noise that no-one else seems to be able to hear. We also find out that her life, whilst seemingly perfect with well-to-do parents, isn't quite what it seems. But where has Cassie gone? Can Fitz work it out? Should he tell the police or not because he is worried about Cassie and what she wants?
This isn't my normal read (I'm a primary school TA) but it was a stunning book. Just remembering how hard Lockdown 1 was for everyones mental health, especially children of all ages without the ability to see friends makes this books story feel so real. The hunt for Cassie is quite scary - as an adult I certainly know the worst does happen in real life sometimes, and Cassie's mental health is at the forefront of this story. We find that Fitz is the best kind of friend you can have.
February 28, 2023
Unusual and disturbing short read about struggling adolescents.
From the Carnegie longlist and a long-admired writer, sadly very recently deceased. This forms part of the Barrington Stoke range that cover issues for older readers made more accessible.
And it is quite mature. Fitz is worried about his missing friend, Cassie. After opening up to him that she can hear a constant humming, after being teased and taunted, and Fitz also notices that she might have problems at home - she's gone.
Whether or not the noises she is hearing are real, clearly her struggles are. And Fitz might be the only one who can work out where she is and bring her home safely.
Is the humming noise a metaphor for angst and anger? Is it real? This may or may not be answered, but this is a compelling short story, which could easily have been elongated into a full novel but loses nothing in this format.
Fitz feels well-enough fleshed out, there are other characters and memorable scenes that make this a worthy nominee for the Carnegie. Cassie is sympathetic and there are issues here for teenagers to identify with a-plenty.
For ages 12 and above.
From the Carnegie longlist and a long-admired writer, sadly very recently deceased. This forms part of the Barrington Stoke range that cover issues for older readers made more accessible.
And it is quite mature. Fitz is worried about his missing friend, Cassie. After opening up to him that she can hear a constant humming, after being teased and taunted, and Fitz also notices that she might have problems at home - she's gone.
Whether or not the noises she is hearing are real, clearly her struggles are. And Fitz might be the only one who can work out where she is and bring her home safely.
Is the humming noise a metaphor for angst and anger? Is it real? This may or may not be answered, but this is a compelling short story, which could easily have been elongated into a full novel but loses nothing in this format.
Fitz feels well-enough fleshed out, there are other characters and memorable scenes that make this a worthy nominee for the Carnegie. Cassie is sympathetic and there are issues here for teenagers to identify with a-plenty.
For ages 12 and above.
February 24, 2023
This is another form this year's Carnegie Prize longlist. As a Barrington Stokes imprint this is written with reluctant readers in mind and has enough in here to keep them interested. It is a novel about teenagers coming out of lockdown, how they reacted to being kept inside away from their friends and it is also a novel that touches upon climate change. Our first person narrator is Fitz who is friends with Cassie, although you very soon realise he would very much like to be more than friends. Together with two others they play in a band. During lockdown Cassie began to hear a hum that she believes is the earth in distress because of everything that humans are doing to it. She becomes obsessed with the sound and so becomes bullied and teased at school. Even home life is difficult for as her parents argue all the time. Eventually she disappears and Fitz starts to try to find out where she is and more about this sound that has taken her over. This is a novel of friendship, love and trying to escape from things that hurt. A story with a very likeable narrator.
April 9, 2023
Wrath is a beautiful story of friendship and faith set during the pandemic. When Cassie goes missing, her friend Fitz traces back their conversations to find clues to her disappearance. What is troubling is the fact that she had begun strangely, claiming she can hear a noise called The Hum that no one else can. The book has short chapters that move the story quickly, with flashbacks to Cassie and Fitz's scenes before she was gone.
There are elements of environmentalism and climate change that feel relevant. However, I thought the story could have been longer, especially towards the end. There are heavy issues like abuse and mental health that I wish were explored further. But this would be great for younger readers as they learn how to navigate their friendships in a world with a complicated future.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for a review copy.
book blog | twitter | instagram
There are elements of environmentalism and climate change that feel relevant. However, I thought the story could have been longer, especially towards the end. There are heavy issues like abuse and mental health that I wish were explored further. But this would be great for younger readers as they learn how to navigate their friendships in a world with a complicated future.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for a review copy.
book blog | twitter | instagram
January 22, 2022
Marcus Sedgwick is a master of creating mysterious and intriguing situations, and his newest young adult novella is no exception. Cassie has gone missing, and Fitz – who tells the story -- is desperate to figure out where she is. Multiple flashbacks build the characterisation of Cassie, a complex character with a troubled home life – and someone who hears a disturbing ‘hum’ coming from the earth that she feels may indicate the end of the world. She just wants someone to believe her. The pace is quick and the text accessible, as is always the case with Barrington Stoke titles, and the setting in Scotland is evocative. I was also struck by the references to Lockdown – it is the first book I have read that explicitly uses the Covid Lockdown as part of its narrative.
This book is ideal for reluctant readers in from Year 8 and up (there is language) or for anyone who wants a quick, intelligent read with ecological themes.
This book is ideal for reluctant readers in from Year 8 and up (there is language) or for anyone who wants a quick, intelligent read with ecological themes.
February 4, 2022
Cassie has always been different, but during the pandemic shut down she admitted that she hears things. She believes that it is the Earth calling out because of all the bad things being done to it. Shortly after school lets out, Cassie disappears. Fitz wants to help find her, but he isn’t sure what to do first. He gives information to the police, but they don’t seem to act on his information. Will Fitz find out the truth about Cassie’s disappearance?
Wrath is a very short stand-alone mystery that was almost too short. This novel would be perfect for reluctant readers that don’t want to commit too much time and energy into a story, but if a bibliophile picks it up, they should be ready to just sit down for 90 minutes and get it finished. The clues lead the characters around Scotland and the ending is complete, but not quite satisfying. Wrath was a good quick escape read but isn’t a first choice to recommend for everyone.
Wrath is a very short stand-alone mystery that was almost too short. This novel would be perfect for reluctant readers that don’t want to commit too much time and energy into a story, but if a bibliophile picks it up, they should be ready to just sit down for 90 minutes and get it finished. The clues lead the characters around Scotland and the ending is complete, but not quite satisfying. Wrath was a good quick escape read but isn’t a first choice to recommend for everyone.
February 5, 2022
Thanks to Netgalley and Barrington Stoke for giving this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Wrath walks the line of drama, tiptoeing into psychological thriller for just long enough to keep the reader entranced. I really liked the characters and how the story felt almost ethereal at times, even if the narrative didn't lend itself naturally to much action through the plot. I would quite like to hear the titular song one day, too.
I do think some of my teen patrons will like Wrath, and it's an easy sell for them. The story's engaging without bogging the reader down with extraneous details. There are open ended questions to consider afterward. Fitz is an interesting, relatable narrator. It's got scenarios that many of my teens will immediately identify with, and it's relatively short to boot. I'm not sure that it will bring mass appeal for the community I serve, but I do know that this will absolutely end up in some of their hands, and they will enjoy it.
Wrath walks the line of drama, tiptoeing into psychological thriller for just long enough to keep the reader entranced. I really liked the characters and how the story felt almost ethereal at times, even if the narrative didn't lend itself naturally to much action through the plot. I would quite like to hear the titular song one day, too.
I do think some of my teen patrons will like Wrath, and it's an easy sell for them. The story's engaging without bogging the reader down with extraneous details. There are open ended questions to consider afterward. Fitz is an interesting, relatable narrator. It's got scenarios that many of my teens will immediately identify with, and it's relatively short to boot. I'm not sure that it will bring mass appeal for the community I serve, but I do know that this will absolutely end up in some of their hands, and they will enjoy it.
December 16, 2023
I absolutely loved this. A boy likes a girl, he says the wrong things and can't admit his feelings and she goes missing. Again, Marcus manages to cover so many heavy themes within a short book; domestic abuse, climate change, current events, teenage angst, first loves... What I particularly enjoyed about this book was the lifelike setting and the decision to set the book in the real world where covid and lockdown has happened and affected the characters. With one of the central themes focussing on climate change I think this underlines the issues brought up. I also love the way Marcus so seemingly effortlessly fills out his characters by giving them interests that are so strong and detailed - in this book Fitz is a drummer in a band and Cassie is lead guitar and their love of music brings them together. Seeing the heavy themes through Fitz's eyes lessens the load a little. Not very cheerful, but a brilliant little book.
March 13, 2023
I know I say it a lot but I am a huge @barringtonstoke fan. Their books are an absolute staple in my classroom and have been for many years. I was so happy to hear that Marcus Sedgwick was going to be releasing a book with them and then, along with so many others, was absolutely devastated to hear of his death last November.
The cover has a quote from Sarah Crossan - another incredible writer - calling it “brilliantly unsettling” and it sums up the book perfectly. I felt unsettled throughout the entire read in the most blissful and captivating of ways. An excellent book about feeling lost for KS3/4, including those who struggle with stamina or engagement. Thank you Barrington Stoke and thank you Marcus. Xx
The cover has a quote from Sarah Crossan - another incredible writer - calling it “brilliantly unsettling” and it sums up the book perfectly. I felt unsettled throughout the entire read in the most blissful and captivating of ways. An excellent book about feeling lost for KS3/4, including those who struggle with stamina or engagement. Thank you Barrington Stoke and thank you Marcus. Xx
Read
October 26, 2023I’ve been a big fan of Marcus Sedgwick since his 2007 book “Blood Red Snow White”, a fairytale / spy thriller / love story set in revolutionary Russia and starring Arthur Ransome (it’s incredible)
I picked up “Wrath” at the library and read it in one sleepless patch on a stormy weeknight. It’s published by Barrington Stoke, who specialize in books for dyslexic readers. So the paper is off white, the font large and curve, the spacing very generous, and the book is edited (their website tells me) to a reading age of 8.
Yet the story — a small town, Covid era, teenage romance wrapped up in climate anxiety — remains compelling, the characters touching, the settings evocative. Writing to tight parameters, Sedgwick is still truly engaging.
I picked up “Wrath” at the library and read it in one sleepless patch on a stormy weeknight. It’s published by Barrington Stoke, who specialize in books for dyslexic readers. So the paper is off white, the font large and curve, the spacing very generous, and the book is edited (their website tells me) to a reading age of 8.
Yet the story — a small town, Covid era, teenage romance wrapped up in climate anxiety — remains compelling, the characters touching, the settings evocative. Writing to tight parameters, Sedgwick is still truly engaging.
December 30, 2024
Wrath is an odd little story about a boy named Fitz searching for his missing friend, Cassie. There are classic middle grade issues here including bullying, family dysfunction, and first love, while also adding in bigger ideas about climate change and wealth privilege. This didn't quite work. The addition of conspiracy theorists never gets really explained, and then there's the chapter titles: sprites, trolls, etc. They don't seem to neatly fit with the content of the chapters. The story is set in Scotland toward the end of the pandemic lockdown, and it deals with it in a manner suitable for the audience. I think this is a good fit for middle reluctant readers, but it is far from Sedgwick's best work.
Thanks to NetGalley and Union Square & Co. for this ARC!
Thanks to NetGalley and Union Square & Co. for this ARC!
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