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Synopsis

The Silver Blade by Sally Gardner

With Sido safely in England and the Terror at it's height, Yann returns to France to smuggle out aristocratic refugees who will otherwise face the guillotine. But when Sido is kidnapped, he must use all his strength and courage to outwit the evil Count Kalliovski, and rescue her for a second time. Set against a vivid historical background, prize winning author Sally Gardner brings to life the horrors of the French Revolution in this breath-taking adventure, complete with intrepid heroism and a touching love story.

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Reviews

'With its reversals, surprises, scholarship and dramatic details of an era so soaked in blood that the Seine ran red, The Silver Blade is historical fiction at its height. No reader, old or young, could resist its passion, told in crystalline prose and peopled with characters as engaging as the dwarf Tetu, bear-like Didier and the venal Mr Tull. It is by far the best British book for children I have read this year.'
Amanda Craig THE TIMES
'This rich, suspenseful and moving tale combines lyricism with pace, and the ending of each section is a surprise, a cliffhanger, or a flourish that will inspire admiration'
Nicolette Jones THE SUNDAY TIMES
'Fast-moving, action packed page-turner'
THE BOOKSELLER
'The dramatic, horrific and sometimes romantic events of the French Revolution, which Sally Gardner portrayed so brilliantly in The Red Necklace are moved on a stage in this equally vivid and richly imagined sequel'
LOVEREADING4KIDS
'Gardner occupies a unique place in children's literature, which The Silver Blade assures... An enthralling and wholly original novel, The Silver Blade is a must-read for a new generation.'
Amanda Craig THE TIMES
'An absorbing historical thriller, dark-edged and awash with atmosphere and intrigue. A healthy dollop of magic makes everything all the more interesting. Though it is a sequel to The Red Necklace, it can be enjoyed to the fullest even without having read the first entry in the series. Highly recommended.'
THE BOOKBAG
'The Silver Blade is both stunning in terms of imagery, but also in the depth and intelligence of emotion; for it is an epic love story that transcends all barriers. Gardner has created a wonderfully mystic magic in the form of light threads and their counterparts, dark threads, through which objects can be manipulated; but it is in the creation of life-like manikins that are able to speak and move (called automata) that her sheer brilliance is illustrated.'
THETRUTHABOUTBOOKS
'With many characters and settings, all vividly real, Sally Gardner combines history, romance and fantasy in this incredible story. THE SILVER BLADE is a brilliant book and I enjoyed every minute of it. Even if you haven't read the previous book, THE SILVER BLADE will capture your imagination and leave you wanting more.'
FIRST NEWS
'This is a proper ripper and Gardner just keeps getting stranger and better.'
Toby Clements THE TELEGRAPH
'a romantic adventure with a very dark side. Gardner never lets her readers forget that this is a story set in an era soaked in blood.'
John Millen YOUNG POST
/ SCMP 'He is a Scarlet Pimpernel for the common man. It's an exciting, original read.
Lisa O
'Kelly THE OBSERVER 'Romance, fantasy and occasional moments of gruesome Gothic-style horror blend attractively, the horror emanating principally from the villain of the piece, the supposedly dead Count Kalliovski... overall, it is hard to imagine a contemporary work of children's historical fiction more superbly conceived or more engagingly executed.'
BOOKS FOR KEEPS Romance, fantasy and occasional moments of gruseome Gothic
-style horror blend attractively, the horror emanating principally from the villain of the piece... overall it is hard to imagine a contemporary work of children's historical fiction more superbly conceived or more engagingly executed. Highly recommended. BOOKS FOR KEEPS Fantasy and fact merge with uneasy tension in this elegantly written novel by an accomplished storyteller... an original and arresting page-turner. CAROUSEL ...shiveringly romantic, dramatic and gripping tale -- Amanda Craig THE LADY

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About The Author

Sally Gardner is an award-winning novelist from London. Her books have been translated into 22 languages and have sold more than one million copies in the UK.

Her historical novel for older readers, I, Coriander, won the Smarties Children's Book Prize in 2005.  Two thrillers both set at the time of the French Revolution, The Red Necklace and The Silver Blade, which was shortlisted for the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize in 2009, followed. Actor Dominic West ('The Wire') has bought the film rights to both titles.

Sally Gardner's stories for middle readers include Lucy Willow and the popular Magical Children series of six titles The Strongest Girl in the World, The Invisible Boy, The Boy with Magic Numbers, The Smallest Girl in the World, The Boy with the Lightning Feet, and The Boy who Could Fly, which are also available as audio books.

She has also written and illustrated picture books including The Fairy Catalogue, The Glass Heart, The Book of Princesses and Playtime Rhymes.

The Double Shadow is published in November 2011.

Sally Gardner continues to be an avid spokesperson for Dyslexia, working to change the way it is perceived by society. She is dyslexic and argues that it's not a disability, but a gift.

 

If you'd love to know more about Sally, click here to download a more detailed biography and Q&A.

To see a video of Sally talking about her book Fairy Shopping - CLICK HERE

Or watch a video of her talking about The Silver Blade:

 

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