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Cold Tom
Part human, part elfin, young Tom struggles to find a place to call home in this striking debut fantasy novel.
Tom is both elfin and human, and running for his life. Cast out from the elfin Tribe, he must hide among the hated humans, whom the Tribe call "demons." Tom's Tribe-half seeks freedom and thrives on a connection with nature which lets him "call on the stars" and turn invisible when in danger. But Tom's human side is emerging, and he is confused and appalled by this change. For he fears the twining emotional bonds, which he sees literally as vines, that bind one human to another. But when he is helped by a kind "demon" girl, it is these strong bonds that save him-and draw him to his true home.
Tom is both elfin and human, and running for his life. Cast out from the elfin Tribe, he must hide among the hated humans, whom the Tribe call "demons." Tom's Tribe-half seeks freedom and thrives on a connection with nature which lets him "call on the stars" and turn invisible when in danger. But Tom's human side is emerging, and he is confused and appalled by this change. For he fears the twining emotional bonds, which he sees literally as vines, that bind one human to another. But when he is helped by a kind "demon" girl, it is these strong bonds that save him-and draw him to his true home.
187 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2002
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256 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
June 21, 2016
What a delight this short book is. I'm a sucker for Tam Lin stories, but this is a completely original take on the tale from the point of view of Tom, a child of the Tribe that lives on the common, elves or fairy folk. Strange cold creatures that eat their meat raw and have no ties of kinship and no concept of love or nurturing their young. Tom isn't like the other members of the tribe, he's clumsy and heavy and he's losing his hearing and he doesn't see as well as he used to. Driven out by fear Tom stumbles into the demon city where hot, smelly, lumpen demons (humans) enslave each other with emotional bonds as real as choking vines
This is a lyrical tale, bittersweet and beautifully told, of what happens to Tom amongst the demons.
This is a lyrical tale, bittersweet and beautifully told, of what happens to Tom amongst the demons.
January 13, 2014
One of the darkest, most beautiful books I've ever read. This story goes places that few adult books dare, mixing in mythical and fantastical tropes with ease – and all of it in sparse, vivid prose. Love it.
July 5, 2013
I must say that this book was very clever in that I had no idea about the demons at all! Until it was revealed of course! I don't really want to give anything away but it was interesting to see Tom's perception of humans which are maybe the thoughts of Sally Prue and the message she was trying to show. It makes you think how we come across to others and how we treat the world, others and wildlife.
Apart from that, I did find most of the plot quite predictable although I think it would keep a younger audience guessing. To me the characters were quirky and individual, mostly likeable too, even the cruel ones.
It was very short, very easy to read but interesting. I think the ending felt very rushed and was a little confusing. I didn't find it entirely clear what happened. I should probably read it again and try and make some sense of it – I was probably rushing a little.
The book reminded me a little of Skellig by David Almond, so to all fans of that book, you should give this one a try too.
I would recommend this book to a slightly older audience between the ages of 11-14.
Apart from that, I did find most of the plot quite predictable although I think it would keep a younger audience guessing. To me the characters were quirky and individual, mostly likeable too, even the cruel ones.
It was very short, very easy to read but interesting. I think the ending felt very rushed and was a little confusing. I didn't find it entirely clear what happened. I should probably read it again and try and make some sense of it – I was probably rushing a little.
The book reminded me a little of Skellig by David Almond, so to all fans of that book, you should give this one a try too.
I would recommend this book to a slightly older audience between the ages of 11-14.
December 1, 2024
Tom lives in the woodland until the day he flees into the frightening world of "demons," as his people call humans. In this inverted Tam Lin-inspired story, Tom reluctantly connects with human children, who in turn save him from the cold-hearted brutality of his Fae family.
Poetic, atmospheric, yet packed with quotidian details (Tom hides himself inside a suburban garden shed), this story feels wispy and magical as sea smoke.
Poetic, atmospheric, yet packed with quotidian details (Tom hides himself inside a suburban garden shed), this story feels wispy and magical as sea smoke.
May 30, 2012
Okay, not really sure why I decided to borrow this from the library, given how much I disliked the "Tribe" in Ice Maiden. I managed to read about 20 pages before just deciding, no, this is not going to happen. Skipped forward a bit but still couldn't get into it. I just found it uncomfortable and not something I wanted to read. *shrug*
September 26, 2010
I read a few pages and just couldn't continue...this is really unlike me, I always at least try to finish books, but I just found it terribly boring.
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January 1, 2021
What an absolute delight.
A short read, a quick read with some excellent twists and turns along the way.
The first part of the story, led me to making some right and some wrong assumptions and then as the story developed and revealed more it became more and more intriguing.
Perfect for 8years up
A short read, a quick read with some excellent twists and turns along the way.
The first part of the story, led me to making some right and some wrong assumptions and then as the story developed and revealed more it became more and more intriguing.
Perfect for 8years up
April 28, 2022
This title was published first in England in 2001. The tribe to which Tom belongs says that he is too slow, deaf, and has an ugly voice. And he is endangering the tribe, which is why is they are trying to kill him and why he has run away to live where the “Demons” live. He knows they will kill him because others from the tribe have been killed before for these same traits. Tom finds refuge in a shed where the demon Anna sneaks him food. Tom has a horrible time enduring the odor and heat demons emit, and he also despises that demons constantly talk nonsense and try to enslave everything around them. The tribe wasn’t like that and he missed his freedom. But Tom is temporarily safe until Anna’s stepbrother Joe arrives and discovers Tom in the shed. He also discovers that Tom is able to make himself invisible and tries using blackmail to learn how. But Tom is not well enough to “call upon the stars” and instead manages to burn down the shed. The nosy next-door demon rescues Tom, keeping him safe in her house while the tribe is outside searching for him. After several days Tom is no longer able to stand being held in the house and manages to escape, but what options does he have? The story includes some interesting commentary on human behavior. This is a good fantasy for middle school readers.
December 18, 2022
I was not familiar with the story of Tam Lin, and I feel like Prue writes this book as though you should be. I was confused for quite some time whilst reading as it was not made clear what Cold Tom is and what he can do. I did enjoy the flip of humans being referred to as demons, and the comments that we enslave or destroy other humans, creatures and the world at large. I wish this was a theme that had continued but the ending kind of undid everything. I am also surprised it won the Branford Boase award when I thought it could have done with one more edit, moving a few sections around. However, perhaps this is me reading with a modern lens and this is the way books were back in the day.
All in all, this would make an excellent adaptation for television, if some rewriting were to happen and there was more freedom for Tom in the end.
All in all, this would make an excellent adaptation for television, if some rewriting were to happen and there was more freedom for Tom in the end.
August 1, 2018
For more reviews, check out my blog: Craft-Cycle
Overall, a good read.
I liked the vague start. The reader has no idea what is going on and this really intrigued me.
This is a middle-grade book, so it is relatively simple. As an adult, I was able to figure out all of the twists fairly quickly, but I think the pacing was just right for young readers. The story drags a little bit in the middle, but it is still entertaining.
Great descriptions. I thought it was a very unique and creative story. I really liked the idea of the vines between people. Interesting book.
Overall, a good read.
I liked the vague start. The reader has no idea what is going on and this really intrigued me.
This is a middle-grade book, so it is relatively simple. As an adult, I was able to figure out all of the twists fairly quickly, but I think the pacing was just right for young readers. The story drags a little bit in the middle, but it is still entertaining.
Great descriptions. I thought it was a very unique and creative story. I really liked the idea of the vines between people. Interesting book.
February 3, 2021
I read a Thai version for this book
"อดีตคือประเทศที่ห่างไกล ขาดกันโดยสิ้นเชิงจากวันนี้ อดีตคือสิ่งที่ไม่เหลือทิ้งไว้แต่เงา ห่างตาก็ไกลใจ"
"ทันใดนั้น เค้าก็เกิดความรู้สึกอยากจะหนีไปให้พ้นเพื่อจะได้เป็นอิสระ ต้องการค้นหาชนบทที่ห่างไกลและอาศัยอยู่ที่นั่นอย่างโดดเดี่ยวด้วยการดักสัตว์และหากินตัวคนเดียว
แต่มันคงไม่มีวันเป็นจริงถึงเค้าจะมองไม่เห็นเถาวัลย์พวกนั้นอีกแล้วแต่เค้ารู้ดีว่ามันอยู่ที่เดิม "ความรักจากครอบครัว"
"อดีตคือประเทศที่ห่างไกล ขาดกันโดยสิ้นเชิงจากวันนี้ อดีตคือสิ่งที่ไม่เหลือทิ้งไว้แต่เงา ห่างตาก็ไกลใจ"
"ทันใดนั้น เค้าก็เกิดความรู้สึกอยากจะหนีไปให้พ้นเพื่อจะได้เป็นอิสระ ต้องการค้นหาชนบทที่ห่างไกลและอาศัยอยู่ที่นั่นอย่างโดดเดี่ยวด้วยการดักสัตว์และหากินตัวคนเดียว
แต่มันคงไม่มีวันเป็นจริงถึงเค้าจะมองไม่เห็นเถาวัลย์พวกนั้นอีกแล้วแต่เค้ารู้ดีว่ามันอยู่ที่เดิม "ความรักจากครอบครัว"
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 11, 2017
It is a good book and has a wonderful plot and setting. I absolutely loved the book
August 23, 2017
Second guessed it all correctly.
February 1, 2018
very unclear and uncomprehensive
August 2, 2018
one of my favorite books.
May 24, 2019
Just not my type of book. I couldn't get into it. I didn't see what was lyrical and stunning about it.
June 20, 2019
it is a few hours read, but very beautiful, loved the folklore vibe, and the reference to the Tam Lin song, esp that is one of my favorite, loved Tom, and happy how it ended.
October 13, 2020
Strange quick read
April 8, 2023
I picked this up looking for a quick story and it was good! It had a lot of depth and world building in just a couple hundred pages and I loved the characters a lot.
May 8, 2024
did not realize it was middle grade book and i'm not the right target for the book but i have read and enjoyed middle grade books but not this clunky morality tale.
October 1, 2025
a really good read, easy and kept me going back to read more.
November 30, 2021
I picked this book up about a month ago in a bargain bin at Barnes and Nobles. They were charging a dollar for it. I read the inside cover and decided, what the hell, its only a buck.. The cover art for the hardbound book was worth a dollar by itself. it was glossy and reflective. if i were a raven, i would rip it apart and love on it for its shininess.
[...:]
Tom cannot hunt, he is too clumsy. he cannot creep quietly through the forest as the others. He very nearly outs the whole village to the “Demons” or as we refer to ourselves, humans. Demons have plagued the villages existence for long enough that no one can truly remember a time where they were not around, but they do remember when they were much further away. Not as far away as the stars, mind you, but far enough away to be comfortable.
Tom has not always been clumsy loud and confused. infact, as his hearing and eyesight worsen, everything else seems to go to pot as well. he seems to be falling apart.
Through circumstances i will not get into here, Tom has to leave his tribe. The only place for him to go is into the world of the demons.
All in all, i was pleased with this book. the publisher rates this as a book for 12 year olds, but i was really into it. there is a simple philosophy that acts as an undercurrent to this book, one that any age group can identify with.
From Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield’s (character) last lines amount sums it all up:
“Don’t ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody.”
Human nature is so simple. The connections you make with others do nothing but strengthen your inability to be a hermit. simple communication can destroy one’s ability to stay separate, clean, and clear of others.
you see a similar clarity in many books, but recently it was most visually evident in Cold Tom, visual being the word to carry forward.
Tom, being an elf, can actually see the vines and organic elements that bind families friends and humanity together. the more he interacts with humans, the stronger their binds to him become. they are both suffocating and comforting. as with all of us, it is a juggling act to determine which is more important, the suffocation or the safety of relationships and society.
Though Tom himself is not human, he shares many charcteristics with us. the degrees of seperation are muted and flimsy, in many places completely invisible. this book teaches tolerance with out preaching. it shows good faith, with out reason for faith to exist. it suggests lessons, but not in an overt lecturing manner as many early teen books have been known to do.
--
xpost RawBlurb.com
[...:]
Tom cannot hunt, he is too clumsy. he cannot creep quietly through the forest as the others. He very nearly outs the whole village to the “Demons” or as we refer to ourselves, humans. Demons have plagued the villages existence for long enough that no one can truly remember a time where they were not around, but they do remember when they were much further away. Not as far away as the stars, mind you, but far enough away to be comfortable.
Tom has not always been clumsy loud and confused. infact, as his hearing and eyesight worsen, everything else seems to go to pot as well. he seems to be falling apart.
Through circumstances i will not get into here, Tom has to leave his tribe. The only place for him to go is into the world of the demons.
All in all, i was pleased with this book. the publisher rates this as a book for 12 year olds, but i was really into it. there is a simple philosophy that acts as an undercurrent to this book, one that any age group can identify with.
From Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield’s (character) last lines amount sums it all up:
“Don’t ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody.”
Human nature is so simple. The connections you make with others do nothing but strengthen your inability to be a hermit. simple communication can destroy one’s ability to stay separate, clean, and clear of others.
you see a similar clarity in many books, but recently it was most visually evident in Cold Tom, visual being the word to carry forward.
Tom, being an elf, can actually see the vines and organic elements that bind families friends and humanity together. the more he interacts with humans, the stronger their binds to him become. they are both suffocating and comforting. as with all of us, it is a juggling act to determine which is more important, the suffocation or the safety of relationships and society.
Though Tom himself is not human, he shares many charcteristics with us. the degrees of seperation are muted and flimsy, in many places completely invisible. this book teaches tolerance with out preaching. it shows good faith, with out reason for faith to exist. it suggests lessons, but not in an overt lecturing manner as many early teen books have been known to do.
--
xpost RawBlurb.com
August 19, 2010
Meh I'll rewrite the review *kicks goodread's script/database/whatever erased my last review*
Nice YA fiction. Not too watery and Disney, tinge of darkness, just my cup of tea. It evens seems to be an English book sans the lame English accents and spellings (unlike, for example, Skellig) so hurrah!
I have to say the book kind of gave itself a way. A fairy named...Tom. Pfft. Not when the other fairies have fae names like Sia, Larn, and Edrin. Of course if his name is Tom he was going to end up human.
One has to appreciate that the humans are called 'demons' (given global warming, biological/nuclear warfare, endangering of so many species, and oil spills I don't begrudge the title) when we has sweet mother Sia and Dad Larn either launching into the air or trying to spear down their sweet clumsy son, Tom. In the words of Family Guy 'Dammmmnnn fairies! You Scary!
Back to the plot, it all fell, reliably, into place. Just as I imagined. I suppose my only questions are:
1) Did Sia have an affair with a human man, and thus Tom? Or was it some effed up fairy genetics? From the songs about fae maidens returning 'calved' and the maiden being unable to blame any of the fae men and the stories of Tam Lin, I'm assuming it's the former.
2) Was Larn really trying to kill Tom? Did he know his sister, Edrin wasn't dead but human? Was he trying to help Joe save Tom? Then again, Edie says fairies are very selfish and cold-hearted.
3) Why was Larn staring so intently at Joe and Anne's mother?
4) What exactly happened to Joe? From the text, it seems that Larn speared him to, but what did that DO to him? He becomes more serious, maybe slightly withdrawn, but definitely more considerate to others.
Nice YA fiction. Not too watery and Disney, tinge of darkness, just my cup of tea. It evens seems to be an English book sans the lame English accents and spellings (unlike, for example, Skellig) so hurrah!
I have to say the book kind of gave itself a way. A fairy named...Tom. Pfft. Not when the other fairies have fae names like Sia, Larn, and Edrin. Of course if his name is Tom he was going to end up human.
One has to appreciate that the humans are called 'demons' (given global warming, biological/nuclear warfare, endangering of so many species, and oil spills I don't begrudge the title) when we has sweet mother Sia and Dad Larn either launching into the air or trying to spear down their sweet clumsy son, Tom. In the words of Family Guy 'Dammmmnnn fairies! You Scary!
Back to the plot, it all fell, reliably, into place. Just as I imagined. I suppose my only questions are:
1) Did Sia have an affair with a human man, and thus Tom? Or was it some effed up fairy genetics? From the songs about fae maidens returning 'calved' and the maiden being unable to blame any of the fae men and the stories of Tam Lin, I'm assuming it's the former.
2) Was Larn really trying to kill Tom? Did he know his sister, Edrin wasn't dead but human? Was he trying to help Joe save Tom? Then again, Edie says fairies are very selfish and cold-hearted.
3) Why was Larn staring so intently at Joe and Anne's mother?
4) What exactly happened to Joe? From the text, it seems that Larn speared him to, but what did that DO to him? He becomes more serious, maybe slightly withdrawn, but definitely more considerate to others.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2014
Tom realizes he's different from the others of his tribe. He doesn't see or hear as well as they do, and he's clumsier, so before long he finds his own people turning on him, driving him out. But the only place he can go when he flees is a shed in the world of the demons, and he fears their demonic power over people like him. They cannot call on the stars and become invisible, and they entrap others with terrible vines that bind them together. Over time Tom will realize his ancestry is half elfin and half human, and that humans are not the demons his people thought they were. His experience of discovering the vines' purpose and treasuring others is heartwarming.
Concept-wise I was very interested in this story, as I absolutely adore half-and-half perspectives from characters who don't really fit in either of the worlds they come from. It's especially cool when characters are part some magical race, and so this has that. The portrayal of humans as demons was ingenious, and Tom's experience of affection as horrific at first really helps drive home the alienness of his perspective from the outside. The interspersed perspectives from the humans he meets aren't as much fun, though, and on top of that the story meanders quite a lot--while I love personal realizations and individual character studies, I felt like very little actually happened in the story, and it would be difficult for me to tell someone afterwards what it was about without sounding sort of boring. It's quite enchanting while you're in the moment, though.
Concept-wise I was very interested in this story, as I absolutely adore half-and-half perspectives from characters who don't really fit in either of the worlds they come from. It's especially cool when characters are part some magical race, and so this has that. The portrayal of humans as demons was ingenious, and Tom's experience of affection as horrific at first really helps drive home the alienness of his perspective from the outside. The interspersed perspectives from the humans he meets aren't as much fun, though, and on top of that the story meanders quite a lot--while I love personal realizations and individual character studies, I felt like very little actually happened in the story, and it would be difficult for me to tell someone afterwards what it was about without sounding sort of boring. It's quite enchanting while you're in the moment, though.
July 30, 2025
Tom and his kind are cold in more ways than just physically. When his Tribe sees him as a danger to them, it is his own parents whose job it is to hunt him down and kill him. And Tom knows they will do just that if they catch him. He has nowhere to hide but the city of the demons, a noisy, smelly place of fast chariots and houses piled cheek by jowl. The demons are clumsy and loud-voiced. But worst of all, in Tom’s eyes, are the ties that bind them to each other, while he is wild and free and determined to remain so. Tom wants nothing to do with the demons but has no choice but to accept the help offered by a girl demon if he is to stay alive. And just because he isn’t interested in the demons, it doesn’t follow that they are not interested in him.
The quote from Michael Morpurgo on the English edition’s cover suggests this was Sally Prue’s first novel. On the back the words “original, fascinating, dark splendour, chilling, inventive, haunting, impressive, compelling” are splattered among a constellation of silver stars and I wouldn’t like to argue with any of them. This is quite a short novel but it is beautifully written and packs a lot into its 136 pages, especially about the condition of being human.
The quote from Michael Morpurgo on the English edition’s cover suggests this was Sally Prue’s first novel. On the back the words “original, fascinating, dark splendour, chilling, inventive, haunting, impressive, compelling” are splattered among a constellation of silver stars and I wouldn’t like to argue with any of them. This is quite a short novel but it is beautifully written and packs a lot into its 136 pages, especially about the condition of being human.
April 23, 2014
3.5. The story really could have done with a longer book and a more involved style, but as a story aimed at younger kids it's really, really good. I love the different take on fair folk/elves - basically everything to do with the fair folk/elves was fantastic, from the coldness to their thirst for blood to their repulsion to possessions and emotional entanglements and basically everything human - and Tom is a really cool character (no pun intended). Still, the side characters weren't very well fleshed out, and neither was the plot twist at the end. The last half of the book felt rushed in general, and though it ended well with a nice bittersweet twist, it wasn't completely fulfilling, emotionally.
But it was still good, so 3.5 and a recommendation if you like the older, more ruthless versions of fair folk/elves/fey/whatever.
But it was still good, so 3.5 and a recommendation if you like the older, more ruthless versions of fair folk/elves/fey/whatever.
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January 8, 2016Katie Rogers 4hr
My thoughts on the book is about a magic land with Elves and demon. As the tale goes on my thought shifted from demons to another being in mystical stories. Humans. From multiple but bombs like mentioning Einstein, Newton, Hawking, and sweet buns. I like the plot of the book,for me it might have seemed that two people can read and have two different sides they are on. One side agreeing with Tom should stay with the tribe another is that he should stay, but he stayed. I love the style of writing through what Tom sees and how he see demons, with details on the tavern have big the town was completely different from his own. I would recommend this book to my older sister because she is a book worm
My thoughts on the book is about a magic land with Elves and demon. As the tale goes on my thought shifted from demons to another being in mystical stories. Humans. From multiple but bombs like mentioning Einstein, Newton, Hawking, and sweet buns. I like the plot of the book,for me it might have seemed that two people can read and have two different sides they are on. One side agreeing with Tom should stay with the tribe another is that he should stay, but he stayed. I love the style of writing through what Tom sees and how he see demons, with details on the tavern have big the town was completely different from his own. I would recommend this book to my older sister because she is a book worm
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2016
I know it's a children's book, and they are very simplistic, but that's no excuse for the lack of creativity. I felt like I read a different version of the same chapter over and over.
Being a children's book, it should have offered some prose that could expand a child's literary mind, or at least find a way to appeal to the intended audience's feelings of wonderment and misunderstanding about the world and perhaps reach out a hand of comfort. But, that didn't happen. It just talked about him "calling on the stars" and the ugliness of Demons until we reach the predictable and anti-climatic end.
Not a fan.
Being a children's book, it should have offered some prose that could expand a child's literary mind, or at least find a way to appeal to the intended audience's feelings of wonderment and misunderstanding about the world and perhaps reach out a hand of comfort. But, that didn't happen. It just talked about him "calling on the stars" and the ugliness of Demons until we reach the predictable and anti-climatic end.
Not a fan.
June 25, 2010
This story begins talking about a boy who is struggling from humans and people from his tribe, which i believe was a bunch of kids. He is almost all of the time in fear and threat of being found or even worst being killed. When that happens he turns invisible but what else happens is that his human characterizes are flowing more to the surface of his hearts. He fears to accept those human emotions and intensions, afraid to bond with other humans.
I gave this book 4 stars because i though this was a great book and it kept me intersted the whole time i was reading it.
I gave this book 4 stars because i though this was a great book and it kept me intersted the whole time i was reading it.
December 3, 2015
Everything old is new again. Here Elves are treacherous, amoral, and stunningly beautiful with powers humans can only dream of. A refreshing take on elves after too many cloyingly sweet fairy stories.
Cold Tom, an adolescent elf, runs into the dreaded demon (aka human) town to escape death at the hands of his elven parents. In our time, of course, no one believes in the fae. And Cold Tom as narrator gives a wonderfully interesting insight into how his elven mind views all things human. A quick and fascinating read for all ages...
Cold Tom, an adolescent elf, runs into the dreaded demon (aka human) town to escape death at the hands of his elven parents. In our time, of course, no one believes in the fae. And Cold Tom as narrator gives a wonderfully interesting insight into how his elven mind views all things human. A quick and fascinating read for all ages...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews