LoveReading4Kids Says
Winner of the 2021 Branford Boase Award
The opening of Orphans of the Tide must surely be one of the most arresting and memorable in recent children’s literature: a whale washes up and is caught on the rooftops of a partly submerged city. As crowds gathers to stare, young inventor Ellie realises the danger they are in. Cutting into the whale’s belly to avert a build up of gas, the incredible happens and a living boy falls out.
The story continues at similar levels of drama, the City’s religious authorities dragging the boy to prison and a death sentence, believing his body is home to The Enemy, the god they hold responsible for putting the world in its watery grave. Only Ellie is convinced of his innocence and determines to save him.
This remarkably assured debut won the Branford Boase Award, impressing the judges with quality of the writing, the power of Murray’s storytelling and his ability to explore timeless themes such as courage, friendship and loss.
One to recommend to fans of Philip Pullman or Frances Hardinge.
Reviewed by Andrea ReeceAndrea Reece has spent almost her entire working life in children’s books, first as publisher, latterly as consultant, project manager and critic.
More reviews by Andrea Reece About Orphans of the Tide
The breathtaking fantasy adventure for fans of His Dark Materials that The Times calls 'Unputdownable'.
Read the full description
Find This Book In
| Suitable For: |
|
| Other Genres: |
|
| Recommendations: |
|
Struan Murray Press Reviews
A sumptuously atmospheric adventure . . . Murray is a tirelessly inventive storyteller -- Emily Bearn - The Daily Telegraph
Gripping . . . with a touch of Frances Hardinge's bizarre brilliance -- Imogen Russell Williams - The Guardian
Unputdownable . . . Murray has an extraordinary imagination -- Alex O'Connell - The Times
Energetic and inventive . . . and with some startling surprises, this is also touching about friendship, siblings, loss and courage -- Nicolette Jones - The Sunday Times
Struan Murray . . . effortlessly joins the ranks of the most skilled world-creators . . . Unpredictable, filled with plot twists and shades of moral grey, Orphans of the Tide is both gripping and original. -- Kitty Empire - The Observer
A beautifully written fantasy adventure with prose that is both muscular and musical, and outstanding world building. -- Sarah Webb - Irish Independent
Orphans of the Tide is singularly brilliant. So inventive, and weird, and beautiful, with just the right amount of bite and darkness. I predict big things! - Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of The Girl of Ink and Stars and The Mercies
I loved it! Dark and thrilling. Great characters to root for. Perilous plot. Extraordinary, vivid world building . . . brilliant! - Eloise Williams, Children's Laureate Wales
The most original opening I've read in years and a plot twist that turns brilliantly - Abi Elphinstone, author of Sky Song
This is a terrific debut of strange myths and dark secrets, fierce loyalties and ruthless villains, told against the thrilling backdrop of a half submerged city. - The Bookseller - Editor's Choice
Compellingly inventive and unpredictable, kept me guessing right till the end. - Piers Torday, author of The Last Wild
Absolutely cracking! Great characters, with quite the nastiest villain I've met in a long while. - Fleur Hitchcock, author of The Boy Who Flew
Outstanding and immersive . . . I devoured this in one go - book blogger Lily SugarPlum Faery
An imaginative journey to a stunning fantasy world, full of twists and heart . . . an absolute corker . . . filled with swashbuckling adventure . . . an enthralling fantasy that moves through dark and grisly scenes of grave peril to positively touching moments of profound friendship. An incredibly imaginative narrative that fills its reader with wonder and thrills while also not being afraid to share quieter moments of real heart. - The Daily Express
There is a touch of Phillip Pullman about the world that Murray creates, and Murray matches Pullman lyrical prose [...] The comparison, however, should not take away from Murray's originality [...] the characters themselves, led by the plucky Ellie, anchor Orphans of the Tide in an urgent, human reality. - Irish Times
The energetic steampunk vibe overlies a thoughtful fable about compassion and justice - New Statesman
