Heretic - Sarah Singleton

Sarah Singleton's Heretic won the Booktrust Teenage Prize 2005.

The novel is set in 16th century Protestant England during which Roman Catholics were persecuted, and enemies of the heretical faith were believed to lurk in every corner. Although Sarah Singleton may seem to sympathise with the Catholic faith, the story moves back in time to the 13th century, when a mother of two was executed for witchcraft by the Catholic Church, showing that intolerance has always been an issue, and demonstrating just how dangerous it was to go against established religion. The fear of discovery, the pain inflicted on the "unfaithful", and the inability of a child to protect their family are some of the most moving passages in this novel. The language is very descriptive, brimming with elaborate adjectives, similes and metaphors. At the same time, though, there is a dark, gloomy sense of mystery and intrigue throughout the book: enemies of the faith hide away whilst their persecutors are watching and following them every step. Woven throughout the tale of 16th century England are fantastical and magical worlds, along with a host of strange and sometimes dangerous creatures: a green girl from the Shadow Land, faeries who trick and delude you, goblins, and some blood-thirsty angels who are quite unlike the holy creatures about whom we are used to reading.

This story is no mere simple tale of good and evil. Even the angels and the faeries are vengeful and cruel, inflicting torment on those who are thirsty for others' blood. I didn't find this an easy book to read - in fact, I stopped part way through to read a few other books in quick succession. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone under the age of about 14, to be honest. It's rather more intense than Singleton's Century.

The cover photo is one again by Simon Marsden, whose photo archive you can find here.

Century - Sarah Singleton

Sarah Singleton's Century is a strong debut novel and beat off competition from Meg Rosoff's acclaimed novel, How I Live Now, and Julie Burchill's tale of schoolgirl lesbian love, Sugar Rush, to win the 2005 Booktrust teenage prize.

This Gothic tale is set entirely in the house and grounds of the Verga family, the house is called "Century". 12 year old Mercy and her sister younger sister Charity have never questioned their daily routine, living at night and sleeping during the day, and seeing their widowed father only rarely, whilst their house remains shrouded in perpetual Winter. But then one day, Mercy, wakes to find a snowdrop on her pillow. This sign of Spring is a subtle hint at the possibility that they could have a different future. Then a chance meeting with a mysterious man named Claudius who tells her she can see her mother again, sets Mercy questioning everything she has ever known - including the truth of her mother's death. Slowly and steadily Mercy traces her parents' story through the past, travelling back in time to see herself as a younger child, silently witnessing the dramatic events in which Claudius himself plays an enormous part. It's not until she has pieced together the truth that she and her family can begin to move on. But it's no easy task - her father opposes her, grief-stricken still over the loss of his wife. Twice Mercy finds herself locked away in a room in Century, as her father tries to maintain his control of the situation.

This is an excellent tale - intriguing and disconcerting by turns, and with some interesting twists. I confess, that initially I wondered if the Verga family were vampires - but they're not...

You might be interested in checking out Sarah Singleton's website.