Bloodline

Bloodline #1

by Katy Moran

Warring kingdoms, bloody feuds and a battle for survival...Step back into the Dark Ages with this riveting, epic adventure from a debut writer."Set in Dark Ages Britain", this is the powerful story of Essa, whose father Cai, a travelling bard and occasional spy, leaves him behind one night at a settlement of the Wolf Clan. Essa is a survivor and forges new allegiances and even love, but never stops wondering why his father never came back. The settlement is under threat from cruel Mercian bands across the forests, and Essa is caught up in a heart-stopping journey to avert disaster. A battle is inevitable, but Essa finds he can influence its outcome in a way nobody but his father would understand...

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Fantasy, Historical, Fiction, War, Adventure

400 pages, Paperback

First published March 3, 2008

About the author

Katy Moran began writing BLOODLINE while she was still in college. A former children’s book editor, she now spends her days writing in her garden shed in London.

Reviews

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A smooth , compelling read set in Dark Ages England, one of my favourite periods and settings. Traces the stroy of Essa, a half Briton, half Saxon boy abandoned by his travelling bar/spy/father in a Wixna village without explanation when he is nine
He grows up in the village, struggles to find his place in the world until his village is attacked by Mercian marauders. He not has a mission to fulfill, while preventing war between the various kingdoms and tribal federations, and has a psychic talent for astral travel and communication with animals, even with entering their bodies.He makes friends and enemies, and his strong bonds with his animals and his love for his childhood sweetheart Lark, are both beautiful to read. his ultimate task is to stop the savage and bloodthirsty Mercian king Penda, after having gone with Penda's son, Wulfehre, on a journey to Powys to fetch Wulfhere's young bride.
The author shows great understanding and research of the Britain of this time , and we get a feel fro the characters and places.
She definitely shows a feel for Britain and it's history.

Merged review:

A smooth , compelling read set in Dark Ages England, one of my favourite periods and settings. Traces the stroy of Essa, a half Briton, half Saxon boy abandoned by his travelling bar/spy/father in a Wixna village without explanation when he is nine
He grows up in the village, struggles to find his place in the world until his village is attacked by Mercian marauders. He not has a mission to fulfill, while preventing war between the various kingdoms and tribal federations, and has a psychic talent for astral travel and communication with animals, even with entering their bodies.He makes friends and enemies, and his strong bonds with his animals and his love for his childhood sweetheart blond Saxon beauty Lark, are both beautiful to read. his ultimate task is to stop the savage and bloodthirsty Mercian king Penda, after having gone with Penda's son, Wulfehre, on a journey to Powys to fetch Wulfhere's young bride.
The author shows great understanding and research of the Britain of this time , and we get a feel fro the characters and places.
She definitely shows a feel for Britain and it's history.

[Clare · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bloodline was an interesting story set in Britain's 'Dark Age' about a young boy who, after being abandoned by his father, is trying to find where among the many clans and kings his loyalty lies.

The historical setting is not complex but it is consistent and believable. The characters too lack real depth, but are likeable and real to some extent.

There was just something lacking, as though I missed some of the connections between events, and between Essa's one thought/action and his next. I didn't always understand why he acted a certain way, or how his actions impacted others. I couldn't always see what he meant by some of his passionate outbursts and whether his later submission was because he retracted his complaints or merely resolved to bear with them.

There seemed to be many characters who appeared and disappeared on a whim, leaving you unsure about what they brought into the story and where they left it once they were gone. Many characters' actions also seemed inconsistent, saying one thing and then another quite the opposite, so that you could never work out whether they were with Essa or against him.

The ending too left me wondering what the whole story had been trying to say... perhaps that all kingdoms and clans are bad because they must war with each other, and that it is better not to belong to anyone but to be alone and free?

The few references to Christianity versus the native pagan religion are simplistic and never really developed, the protagonist is Christian and asks God's help a few times but nothing more. His 'spirit' ability to inhabit animals and see things from their perspective is never really explained, it moves the story along but we don't know how or why he has this power. It is vaguely implied that the other Christians don't approve of it, but that thread isn't developed either.

There's nothing very explicit, a few rough words and expressions and an implied scene of a married couple spending the night together.

If the story were tighter and richer it could be recommended further.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

A novel set in the Dark Ages. The only fantastical element in the story is that Shamanistic spirit journeys are real.

Moran's debut novel suffers some odd flaws: certain plot elements are developed then just peter out to nothing e.g. there is a bit when the protagonists are lost in the forest and starving - a big thing is made of this, then suddenly, they get where they are going and are fed. The whole incident could have been omitted with no loss since there isn't even any resulting character development. The book also ends without really resolving the main plot; it's as if at least one sequel is intended though there is no indication that one will be forth-coming either in the text or on the back cover blurb. So that was a bit disappointing.

The aspect I liked most was the Dark Ages setting, with "British" and "Anglish" being spoken by adjacent tribes and the conversion to Christianity not yet complete; a setting where strong female characters in leadership roles and women who can fight are not obvious anachronisms but historically realistic characterisations.

A very quick check tells me that two sequels have been published and the fourth book has been delivered to the publisher, so I can let Ms.Moran off the unresolved main plot charge! Also, one or two of the disappearing plot threads may be ground work for these sequels - although the example I gave clearly isn't. I'd happily give Bloodline Rising a go - rating rises to *** in light of the new info!

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bildungsroman of a boy, Essa, in Dark Ages England who tries to prevent a war between Penda of Mercia and the Wolf Folk of East Anglia. Presentation of the culture of that period was interesting, but I couldn't bond with any of the characters. I thought the touch of fantasy odd--Essa's being able to enter and control the minds and/or bodies of birds and animals.

[Andrea Johnston · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were way too many coincidences in this book for it to be truly enjoyable. It wasn't very believable that they kept happening in quick succession and that they were so convenient. And unnecessary, too! Oh, the soldier who met Dracula's son loses his mind and ends up in Seward's old sanitarium? And what's that? He's getting moved to isolation and he "just so happens" to be brought to the same room that Renfield stayed in? Huh.

It's not crafted well enough for it to work, unfortunately so I will not be reading any of the sequels.

[Hazel West · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoughts on the Overall Book: I enjoyed this book a lot! I liked the setting, of course, I can't pass up much having to do with ancient Britain, I loved the characters, and the overall story was well crafted and believable. I did a faith buy on this book (because I couldn't get it from the library) under recommendation from a friend and I'm glad I did because I ended up liking it even more than I thought I would. The first couple chapters are a little slower but it's necessary to get to know Essa and the other characters and after that the book picks up into a really great, suspenseful story.

Cover--Yae or Nay: I loved the cover! I adore sunset colors, and I like how it's almost a silhouette but you can still see the shield. I have a thing for shields and it definitely identifies the time period of the book. Back profiles are always neat too, because you don't have to worry about the picture not looking like the character. And then the knotwork and the title font also lend to the Celtic feel.

Characters:Essa, of course, is a great protagonist. You feel for his position and his abandonment by his father, Cai. Now Cai is a rather interesting character because you can dislike him for how he treats Essa, but you can also understand his reasons behind it and since he isn't completely terrible you can maybe forgive him a little bit. It also probably stands to reason that I loved Wulf and the brotherly relationship that forms between him and Essa because I just love that kind of thing, and Wulf also had a great sense of humor. I also liked the girl characters too. Lark, I knew I would like right off, and Anwen, I was afraid at first that she would be annoying, but she surprised me and turned out to be a really awesome character as well.

Writing Style: The style was good, it fit the time period well, and the author clearly did her research as she stated in the author's note. I also liked how it was third person from Essa's point of view. It was the kind of book that you couldn't really be in anyone else's head. It could have been first person, but I think it was fine the way it was.

Problems/What bothered me: The only thing that really bothered me was the fact that Essa could put himself into animals, or I'm not really sure how to describe it. Thankfully I was warned of the fact beforehand though, so it didn't surprise me as much as it would have otherwise, seeing as there is no indication of any fantasy like story line in the book's description. It was weird at first, but once I got used to it it didn't really bother me. It kind of fits into the whole ancient British thing too, with a Faery kind of undertone, so I was okay with it. The only reason I complain about it is because I couldn't really see why it was necessary. Yes, it was helpful at moments to Essa, but a woodsman or whatever could have managed the same sort of things, I imagine.

Conclusion: 5 stars. I found as I read the last half of this book that I really enjoyed it immensely. I think it was just a mixture of the characters and story, but I loved it. The ending surprised me a bit, but after a few minutes I decided I kind of liked it, even though it was abrupt. I'm excited to get to the sequel to see if it is just as good.

Recommended Audience: I'd safely say that fans of Rosemary Sutcliff would enjoy this book because it had the same sort of feel as hers do. Still not quite up there with Rosemary's but close. As for age, probably fourteen and up, not really for content purposes because there wasn't anything I caught to complain about otherwise it would not have gotten five stars, but because I think the story line would be better appreciated by an older audience.

[Mara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cover Blurb: The simplicity of it is nice, and I love the sunset colors. The shield and Celtic design clearly indicate what sort of story it is, and for someone like me who is always on the lookout for good Britannic stories, it’s attention-grabbing.

What I Liked: Essa is a good, strong protagonist whose anger at Cai is completely understandable. While Cai’s secretiveness and lack of communication with his son is later explained - and I can also understand Cai’s reasons - I still sympathized with Essa and understood his hurt. The main girl, Lark, is also a great character; she’s a true tomboy without an attitude, and very fitting for the time period. I also loved the brotherly relationship that forms between Essa and Wulf - two young men who are very much alike, but on opposite sides of the battlefield. In many ways, it reminded me of the friendship between Marcus and Esca in The Eagle of the Ninth. I’ve always been fond of setups like that.

What I Disliked: It came as an absolute surprise to me when Essa discovered he could make his spirit leave his body and occupy animals. The synopsis gives no hint about this mystical element, and when it happened, my immediate reaction was, “Okay, that’s just weird.” It took me a long time to decide how I felt about it. My concluding thought is Essa doesn’t do it very often, so it is something that can be ignored, but it’s still weird and takes just a tiny bit away from the story.

Believability: The Author did research. And she presents her Readers with a believable ancient Britain. The behavior, beliefs, and social customs were all accurate. The times that character speak negatively of Christianity felt like a realistic reaction for the time period, and not like the Author was trying to shove her own personal opinion down my throat through the voice of one of her characters. The battle scenes are also believable. Bloody and brutal.

Writing Style: Katy Moran’s writing approaches the same beautiful quality as Rosemary Sutcliff and Elizabeth Alder. She doesn’t quite reach Sutcliff’s masterful storytelling, but she comes bloody close. Her dialogue is appropriate for the time period and she shows an understanding of the Celtic pride. Her descriptions of the countryside possess the same appreciation Rosemary Sutcliff expresses; an appreciation that can only come from a Celt. Her battle scenes are easy to follow, and the Author does a very good job with tossing a few hints here and there about Essa’s past. She explains just enough to keep the Reader guessing. The story, also, doesn’t drag. It takes a few moments to establish Essa’s standing in the world, but then it leaps head-first into the action. The only thing that separates Katy Moran’s writing from Rosemary Sutcliff is her characters lack some of the depth Sutcliff’s do. Don’t get me wrong - Moran’s characters are good and not at all cardboard; they just aren’t Rosemary’s.

Content: Nothing. There are a lot of battle sequences, but the Author doesn’t go into unnecessary gory detail.

Conclusion: The twist the Author puts in the end came as a total surprise to me. And the ending battle is exciting and fast-paced. It’s a bit of a bittersweet ending, but for a story set in Ancient Britain, what else can one expect?

Recommended Audience: People who love Rosemary Sutcliff. Katy Moran isn’t quite as good, but the writing style and story choice is extremely similar, so they’d enjoy it. This is both a guy and girl read.

[Brandy Painter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally posted here.

This story begins when Essa is nine years old and has just been abandoned by his father. I felt an immediate liking and sympathy for Essa that never abated as the story moved forward. He has a short temper, and sometimes makes ridiculously stupid decisions, but I liked him all the more for those weaknesses. He finds himself caught up in a war he wants no part of and at the center of a political struggle he was not prepared to face. No matter what choices he makes he is going to have to betray someone he likes. The complexities involved in all of his decisions made for a riveting story. The setting is wonderful and the time period depicted exactly right. The author did a good job conveying the harsh realities and the simple joys the people would have experienced. The tension in the story between the old ways and the new Christianity was also pitch perfect.

I only had one issue with the book, which other people might not find as annoying. There was a supernatural element in the story that detracted from my enjoyment. Essa is able to commune with animal spirits. He can calm them, send them where he wants them to go, and see what they see. I am all for fantastical elements in stories, but here I felt that it detracted from, rather than added to the plot. It seemed like a convenient way of turning events in Essa's favor and nothing more. It is a major part of the story and plays a rather large role in the outcome so I was annoyed a great deal. Otherwise, this would have been a good solid work of historical fiction.

I can see fans of Rosemary Sutcliff enjoying this, particularly if they can overlook the issue I had. It's not as good as her stuff but will do if you are looking for something similar.

[ambyr · Rating 1 out of 5]

I knew no one else could hit the bar set by Rosemary Sutcliff, but from the description I was hoping for at least Sutcliff-light. Sadly, I didn't get it.

The characterization here is completely inconsistent; one minute the protagonist is plotting to kill someone, the next minute they're best friends. He doesn't so much change his mind as spend the entire novel spinning in a circle on his heel as fast as he can. This may be an accurate depiction of teenagerdom (or sociopathy), but it's not exactly compelling reading. I might forgive it if the plot was interesting or the worldbuilding rich, but alas, they aren't. Often when I one-star books it's because they angered me in some way; in this case, it's just because I was bored, bored, bored.

[steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tale of "Bloodline" follows a recurring question: loyal to whom?

The story begins in a Wixnan village near the border of a Mercian camp where 9-summers-old Essa is abandoned by his father, Cai, without any warning. Cai and Essa were wanderers, so it was a highly unusual event. The village ends up taking Essa in, and he goes on to live in the village for many years, making friends and feeling like he belongs. However, the life as he knew it changed when he was 14 summers old. The village was under the threat of an attack by the Mercians, and Essa was sent to spy on the Mercian base, where he learned a devastating secret. With that knowledge in mind, Essa sets off on a perilous journey with some unlikely friends to see if he can end the conflict. Along the way, the question of loyalty is repeated, and the wrong answer at the wrong time could lead to his demise.

The book was suspenseful and engaging, which made it enjoyable for me. The way the author described the setting made the picture in my mind look extremely detailed and realistic. I did not fully understand why the author chose to give Essa the power to take on spirits of other animals as I would have found it as intriguing as it is now if the power was not in the story. Additionally, it would make the novel more realistic and historically accurate if it was not included.

The majority of the story is historically accurate, with most of the locations like Mercia of East Anglia existing in reality in 630 AD, the time period the novel is set. Most of the kings in this novel did govern their corresponding kingdom during the Middle Ages, such as King Penda of Mercia, King Redwald of East Anglia, King Edwin of Northumbria, and many others. There was a conflict between East Anglia and Mercia in the Middle Ages for territory, just like what was happening in the novel. However, the Wixnan village never existed, the author creating it to add suspense and an extra detail to the story.

Overall, this is a terrific novel for fans of historical fiction. The plot is captivating, the characters are well described, the setting is described in a picturesque fashion, the theme connects with the whole story, and the historical elements are mostly accurate, enough so you can learn some facts from reading this. I would recommend this novel to others.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A glimpse into early Britain, when it was a bunch of different tribes with different languages and religions under a High King yet intermittently at war with each other. When Essa's father, the son of a secretive and contentedly lordless scop (wandering singer/storyteller), abandons him in a village without a word, the angry boy is left to figure out what to make of himself, though limited by the conventions of lineage, honor and obedience that tie young men to their lords, of which he has none. It becomes clear that others know things about Essa that he does not, and as the ruling High King's unwarlike nature emboldens an ambitious nearby lord, Essa and his adoptive village are in growing danger.
Though there is a slight hint of the fantastic about Essa's story (a bit of clairvoyance here and there), it's mostly a realistic story of how life was at the time for young people growing up in that place and time, with the tangle of loyalties and obligations affecting their futures, friendships, and so on--you can't just be friends with anyone you like, and your obligation to your lord might override your friendship--and the question of whether it's better to be bound to a lord or to be lordless and therefore free, but also unprotected.
This is the first of a trilogy, ending with some mysteries uncovered yet some issues not resolved; but it's not exactly a cliffhanger, so you could comfortably stop here if you don't mind a not-completely-resolved ending.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for the ATY 2019 Reading Challenge Week 39: A book with a strong sense of place.

Essa has traveled with his father for many years. His father is a wandering storyteller. Once they get to Hild's village, Cai leaves him and for seven years Essa wonders why. He is certain of his father's death. Until he finds him in a Mercian encampment with King Penda, then he wants to know who and what his father is. He travels with Wulf to the High King hoping to stop a war with Penda and the Wolf people. Then he discovers who he really is. Here we travel with Essa and see a land totally different than what we would find today. This book is the beginning of a series. Its fantasy and magical realism make me want to read more.

[Charles Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It took me back to my childhood when I read Norse mythology, history, and tales of the Vikings, Romans, Anglo-Saxons and more invading Britain and other parts of Europe. The clash of cultures, languages, and religions makes for great drama.

[Ryleigh B · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like this book all that much. It is pretty hard to follow and has a lot of unneeded events in the book. However, it was pretty good at building the setting, sticking to it, and making it relevant to the story.

[Kitty-Lydia Dye · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the fantasy elements and the vivid descriptions, but I found the actual plot confusing. The political intrigue and characters turning against one another felt forced.

[Manda Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Those of us who grew up with Rosemary Sutcliff as our lodestone, our baseline, our highest bar of excellence in the writing of the ancient world for children (and for adults) have long been looking for someone who might pick up her mantle: someone who could combine the glorious freedom and innocence of childhood with the magic of old Britain and the sense of battling against vast powers, but with a possibility of success.

Lots of authors have tried and some have come close, but Katy Moran's 'Bloodlines' is the first book I've read which carried me the same way the Silver Branch did, or Lantern Bearers ,

Set in the immediate post-Roman world (AD 630) of a Britain where the native Britains are being slowly pushed out by the Anglish, where warring kings vie for power... in this case, where Mercia is pushing into East Anglia, this is a novel of a lost boy, abandoned by his father, seeking his identity while at the same time, seeking not to lose the people he has come to love.

It's an easy enough narrative trope, but done here with a flair that many strive for and few achieve. Essa feels real the way Esca felt real in The Eagle of the Ninth. When his father Cai, the bard, leaves him behind in Wixna, in a village that will be right on the battle lines of the upcoming conflict, his sense of desperation and abandonment are plain without being mawkish. He has his hound, Fenrir, and his horse, and a sword left to him by his father, which has a history yet to be explained. In a pagan village, he is notionally Christian, but prays to the old gods as much as the new and when he begins to fly out of himself, to enter into the bodies of the hawk, the hound, the horse, he is harking back to the ways of Old Britain.

His journey takes him west almost to Wales and north towards Scotland before he returns to East Anglia, to the gathering army that waits for a king who has taken himself to a monastery and is refusing to fight.
The magic, the battles, the sense of a boy on the brink of adolescence... all are brilliant, all are pure Sutcliff, but better, because this is written for a twentyfirst century audience and lacks the innate sexism of Sutcliff. The author studied history at university and so the sense of time and place, are both beautiful (I'm not sure they had stirrups then, but I stand to be corrected) - but so many academic historians are writing leaden prose, aimed at impressing other academic historians. This is so very much better than that. It lifts off the page. It sings. I can't think why it's taken me so long to find it, but I'm so very glad I did. Rosemary Sutcliff said she wrote for children of all ages from 8 to 80 - and this is the same. Anyone who love our past will love it. I'm heading for the sequel as soon as I can.

[Sierra · Rating 4 out of 5]

What to say, what to say; I am not sure I can describe my exact feelings after reading this book, but I will try. Definitely, among the better historical books that I have read, this story draws you back over a thousand years to medieval England. The tale follows Essa, a young boy who was abandoned in an unfamiliar village by his father Cai, as he grows into a warrior. As a character, Essa has the typical angsty teenager attitude to all the adults in his life, especially his father, but despite his bad moods, he is a likable young man who works hard and loves animals. From the very first page, I felt drawn to Essa; in a way, he reminded me of the main characters in both The Lost Years of Merlin and The Sea of Trolls. Essa is by no means the only interesting character in this book. Katy Moran seems to breathe life into all of her characters. Whether it was a warring king or a village peasant, none of her characters seemed flat or two-dimensional as they flitted in and out of the story.

With such vibrant characters, the plot was extremely character driven, a mixture of the classic coming of age story and a fruitless struggle to maintain peace. The historical details seemed well researched including the attitudes of the characters. I have noticed that some historical writers impose modernized values and morals on their characters even when doing so goes against commonly held beliefs of the time period. From my limited knowledge of the time period, Katy Moran did a reasonable job reconstructing the people’s attitudes towards beliefs, morals, and politics. I was honestly impressed by the detailed explanation of the political structure of seventh century Britain. In a note at the end of the book, the author admits, she had to take some liberties because the historical record from the time period contains a few holes. Overall I think she did a great job filling in those holes.

All in all, not one of my favorite books but still a good read and well worth the time.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is not normally what I'd pick up: an early medieval Britian setting where the main character is a boy growing to be a young man caught between warring clans/kingdoms. My general reaction to bloody war stories can be summed up as "Blech!"

Despite that, I still found this an interesting book. Essa is essentially abandoned by his father at about age 9. His life until then had been a traveling one, but afterward, he lives in a village that is caught between one evil king and another useless one. He anticipates growing up and becoming a warrior for his people like all the villiage boys, but surprisingly, a visiting prince binds Essa to him, and sends him on a dangerous mission to spy on the enemy. This mission becomes even more complex when he is found in the enemies camp, discovers his father there (who he thought was dead & now believes is a traitor) and is sent on yet another mission by the enemy king to escort his son to his marriage.

Essa, and most of the friends he makes along the way, are pawns in the hands of rulers - who as a rule are calous and cruel. But what makes Essa stand out is not only his willingness to fight against his situation to protect the village he cares about, but also his desire to find a peaceful solution in a world that knows only war. His lack of political savy is balanced by his determination to keep finding solutions.

The biggest flaw in the story is a mystical component that allows Essa to slip his consciousness into animals and take spirit journeys into the air. It doesn't happen often enough to make me categorize this book as fantasy rather than historical fiction, yet it seems to be a "deus ex machina" at some points. I think Essa's story could have been better told if this mysticism had been left out. The author, in her note at the end, talks about the ways in which the beliefs of the different tribes (some Christian, some following older Norse traditions) was one source of conflict among the tribes. The idea of spirit journeys came from the older Norse tradition, and appears to be part of why it is included in this tale.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was... strange...
Okay, honestly, it bored me deeply at times. It could stray into the fantasy political, which isn't my thing, and each time it did my eyes would glaze over a bit and then I'd miss some little, essential part. Suddenly the main character would be thinking about why he had to kill someone and I would be like, "Wait, what? I thought you two were friends!"
Even with my tuning out, though, this book was kind of predictable. Yes, there were some things I was surprised about, but mostly... meh. For example, the main character, Essa, was told by his friend Wulf "Oh yeah, your dad Cai is almost definately dead, because my father the king was planning to kill him." And Essa accepted this and completely believed him! His father was a master double-dealer, something he'd already been told. When Cai reappeared later, Essa was shocked and I was... not. I mean, it never gave me any reason to think he would be dead. I think it was supposed to be a twist, but... it wasn't.
Then, in the end... everyone dies. Or most everyone. Only main characters lived, seriously. It felt like every side character I met was slaughtered for a reason I never quite figured out, save that it had to do with who would be king of the land next.
But I have to admit, I liked the setting... mostly. It was Dark Ages Britain, which I thought was quite interesting. It's a time period I'd like to know more about. But... randomly, Essa is magic. Seriously, I think this book could have been perfectly fine without the fantasy element. Except for Essa, there wasn't any magic, so it was just... random. I didn't like that, despite being a magic-lover.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be an artificially inflated five stars, but there's a reason for it valid enough that I'm giving the rating anyway. I've been reading prodigiously lately while doing much waiting around, and of all the excellent books I've read this is the one that's stuck with me the most, the one my mind keeps returning to and the one I'm most hoping to find a sequel for. Since some of those others rated four stars in my mind, then I feel it only fair to give this one five. I want to read it again, or at least more of the same.

This is a bloody medieval adventure of at least some historical accuracy in terms of its British setting in the seventh century. In that setting, affiliation is everything, because everyone is at war all the time and no one can survive alone. Essa, unfortunately, isn't sure about his affiliation. His father was a wandering bard who abandoned him in a village when he was nine. He has tried to recover from this betrayal and fit in at the Wolf Folk settlement, but he can't forget his early travels, isn't sure he really belongs, and keeps getting hints that there may be more to his identity than anyone has told him. Now a battle is brewing and Essa might be forced, as a matter of survival, to pursue his identity and attempt to figure out just who he really is.

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Jennifer Rummel for TeensReadToo.com

Essa's father brings him to a camp one day and leaves him there without any explanation. Essa's forced to grow up in the village without any sense of home. Years pass peacefully until the village's rival threatens war. Essa must do his duty and spy on the neighboring village.

He's expected back in two days, but he's gone for much longer. He's caught while spying on the camp. The father he thought was dead is alive in the village. Essa's forced to swear another oath - to his enemies - and join their side.

He doesn't understand why his father is there and his reasons for not returning. Essa figures he'll have plenty of time to ask these questions, but the next day he's sent on a mission with the King's son to fetch back his bride.

The two boys form a friendship and gradually realize the pending war isn't best for both sides. They attempt to stop it with knowledge they've gained. But are they too late?

Katy Morgan makes the Dark Ages come alive with her tale of war and courage, friendship and loyalty, and family and belonging.

[Miz Lizzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This historical adventure story will especially appeal to teenage boys who are strong readers. The setting of 7th century Britain, the warring tribes, and especially the conflict between the Christian Britains and the Norse Anglish provide an interesting pairing to the fantastical imaginings of a slightly later period in Runemarks. Essa is abandonned by his father, a travelling scop or ballad singer, in the Wolf People's village as a young boy. Though he remains something of an outsider, Essa becomes attached to his adopted village. As a young man he takes on a dangerous journey to try and stop a war that will eradicate the Wolf People. Not to worry though, there is still a big bloody battle at the end of the book. Essa's attempts don't stop the war but they do reveal his true identity. I was rather unsatisfied with the ending, right after the big battle, as it seemed to me a lot had yet to be resolved. Perhaps the author is envisioning sequels? Good to see some strong writing for young adult boys but not really my cup of tea.

[Lady Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It's an adventure, suspense, coming-of-age story with a hint of romance. It feels very period appropriate. Ranks up there with Rosemary Sutcliff novels in its portrayal of Britain after the Romans and while the Saxons are settling in.

Essa is the son of Cai, a scop and spy; welcomed and feared by every hall across Britain. At the age of nine, Essa is left with Cai's foster sister, on Anglish lands belonging to the Wolf People. Cai has always told Essa that gold is poison to a man, it may seem nice but it is far better to remain free as a bird than to submit to one man's rule. Essa comes to know the truth of that statement more than anyone when he becomes bound to a man that uses him solely as a political pawn. Essa is sent out as a spy, but the job comes with many surprises and Essa will have to make many tough decisions if he ever wants to see those he cares about ever again.

[Yami · Rating 3 out of 5]

the narrating of the novel was off somehow, it felt dry and weak , and Essa was irritating with his mood shifts and the way he is deciding who he likes and who he hates, he did nothing really but go with the flow, I think non of the characters were fully aware of what they are actually plotting, everyone is changing their mind , "kill him , hit him, pat him, bounden him, be his enemy , become friends"!!!.
and what makes Essa so special I absolutely have no idea, the ch. were shallow, and not cared about even in their death, and the way the old English forced itself into the conversation was really not called for.


still the I gave it three stars, there is something okay about it , was not really that bad, and am gona read the squeal, I have it any way, hopefuuly it wil be the better book of the two.

[Emily Rozmus · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reminded me a great deal of Dickinson's Cup of the World series that I read a couple of years ago. That was set in a fantasy world, and Moran's setting is a very real ancient Britain and the events are true. Essa travels from one enemy camp to another, a spy for the cruel Mercians as well as the Christian Wolf Folk. Unbeknown to him, he also has ties to another, more powerful ruler in Britian, but it will take an unusual alliance and bloodshed for him to find the clues to his past. This was a compelling story and the characters are complex and interesting. I read this because I picked up the companion book Bloodline Rising at my last SOYAMRG group. I hope it follows Essa's story. He is someone I will not soon forget,

[Phoebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essa and his father are wanderers, since Cai is a scop (bard) and they are always on the move. Essa wishes they could stay in one place. Then one morning he wakes to find his father gone, with no message or explanation. Years pass and Essa is raised by Hild, makes friends, grows into adolescence all with no idea of his father's whereabouts and believing his mother to be dead. Stone Age Britain was not a peaceful place, though, and soon politics and war will gather Essa up and require sacrifice and courage. And the secret to his past is revealed, rather shockingly. Wonderfully atmospheric, wonderfully written, I loved this book and am happy that there is another one in the works. High school, adult.

[Wally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essa is the son of an English bard in early Medieval times. When his father leaves him in one village, all he wants to do is flee, but in time he forges some strong bonds with the villagers. By the time he is 13 or so, he becomes deeply entangled in a plot among local warrior kings, and must eventually fight to save his village.
For a first novel, this one is a real winner. Great characters, a true and detailed historical setting, a twisted plot and a good story rest on solid research that never hits the reader over the head. Highly recommended for anyone in eighth grade and up. There is some off-screen sex and youthful alcohol consumption (hey, everyone was doing it).

[Jorge · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a good book about old time life and has a lot of fighting for the guys. it is also some what of a love story. when i read this book i thought it was similar to the movie 1000 B.C because it takes place in the olden days and also there is a love destiny where the girl is taken and the guy goes on a big journy to resue his love. this takes place in britain and a young guy named Essa must help his village out because it is being taken over by another kingdom, it is a fantasy beause the facts never happened in real life and there is also some magic thrown in there once in a while. for people that like fansaties and adventure thriller books this is the book for you

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess I'd give this a 3.5. The story wasn't that original, but after about 100 pages I wanted to see what happened. One thing that really annoyed me about this book was the few other language phrases the author threw in (the people in the book are supposed to be speaking another language). Instead of saying "Go get the horses" the author said "Do you go get the horses" so that even though it's a statement it sounds like a question. This was the only thing he added from the foreign language and it was all over the book. When they were speaking British everyone said "tha" for you, so they would go "Tha go get the horses." Both of these things just annoyed me so much.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting look at the Dark Ages in Britain after the Romans left. Essa is the son of Cai, a bard, and he has traveled with him his whole life. Then one day Cai leaves him at a Wixna settlement, and just disappears, leaving Essa to be raised by the villagers. When Essa comes of age, he accepts a gold ring of fealty to a Wolf Lord, then begins a long adventure to fulfill his mission of spying on Lord Penda's neighboring tribe who is poised to invade the Wolf people's lands. Essa must choose his path through many dangers to return to the girl Lark, whom he loves.