The story's searing pace, its spare style, the excitement of its fabulously damaged world, its unforgettably vivid characters, its violent action and glorious love story make this a truly sensatonal YA debut novel.
Much of the author's inspiration came from the epic movies she grew up with, from Gone with the Wind to The Searchers to The Wizard of Oz. The novel has been optioned by Ridley Scott and screenwriter Jack Thorne is in the process of adapting it for film.
Moira Young says: “To be shortlisted with such experienced and acclaimed writers and their excellent books was wonderful. To win the Costa Children's Book Award is amazing. I am immensely gratified that the story and characters I’ve lived with and cared about for so long seem to speak not only to young people but readers of all ages.”
A piece of passion from Marion Lloyd, publisher of Marion Lloyd Books:
“Every publisher dreams of reading the first page of a new submission and instantly knowing they’ve found something special. I felt that electric shock with Blood Red Road. Moira Young’s searing, soaring survival story is arresting from the very first line. It is written in a compelling but very accessible dialect with an extremely distinctive authorial voice. The scope of the plot is epic and the pace is fierce, with unexpected twists. It is incredibly original. I am immensely proud to be publishing Moira Young’s astonishing debut novel which will set the summer of 2011 alight.”
She adds: "Moira Young is a new writer of phenomenally powerful skills. To have the Costa judges crown her first novel as the winner of the children’s book award is simply fabulous.”
MORE NEWS: Moira's publisher Scholastic have created a fabulous free newpaper for teens featuring a variety of their fantastic teen titles. Click here to have a read.
Every step of Saba's journey sizzles with danger... In a lawless land,
where life is cheap and survival is hard, Saba has been brought up in
isolated Silverlake. She never sees the dangers of the destructive society
outside. When her twin brother is snatched by mysterious black-robed
riders, she sets out on an epic quest to rescue him.
“An astonishing debut novel which had us all hooked from the beginning to the unpredictable end.” The Costa Children's Book Award judges
‘Outstanding… think The Hunger Games meets The Road.’ - Bookseller
‘I absolutely loved reading Blood Red Road… I can't imagine a single reader that won't fall in love with Nero, the perspicacious crow.… Blood Red Road is going to win more than a few followers. And it will deserve them.’ - The Book Bag
‘Saba is a fantastically written character, she's a strong feisty heroine, with bags of guts and self determination which sees her through this non-stop rumble of hardship and adventure.’ - Mr Ripley’s Enchanted Books
‘Blood Red Road is a fast-paced story filled with adventure, excitement, furious violence and a lustful romance. Young’s writing reminded me a little of Tod’s voice in The Knife of Never Letting Go, and the strong feisty female character reminded me of Katniss from The Hunger Games. Definitely worth a read!’ - Chicklish
‘Saba tells us that she “aint’t afeared of nuthin”, which is lucky, because she faces a fight for survival from the very beginning… Blood Red Road has been compared to The Hunger Games and Cormac McCarthy’s The Road. It also reminds me Russell Hoban’s Ridley Walker, although the distinctive dialect in which Young writes is much more accessible. Blood Red Road is inventive, intriguing, exciting and definitely worth a read.’ - LitBlog
Author
About Moira Young
Moira Young was born in 1959 in New Westminster, British Columbia, and is of Scots and Cornish descent. After graduating from the University of British Columbia with a degree in European History, she moved to the UK to attend The Drama Studio, gaining her equity card on the alternative comedy circuit in the mid-80s. She became a tap-dancing chorus girl in London’s West End, appearing in 'High Society', directed by Richard Eyre, before returning to Canada and retraining as an opera singer. In 1991, Moira won the Metropolitan Opera Regional Auditions in Western Canada and she has sung in opera throughout the UK and Europe.
Moira wrote her first book aged nine but after being bitten by the theatre bug, she didn’t take up writing again until 2003, when she enrolled on Elizabeth Hawkins’ Writing for Children course and workshop at the City Lit. In 2006, Moira moved to Bath, where she still lives with her husband, and worked at the Bath Chronicle as PA to the Editor. She is now a full-time writer and is currently working on Rebel Heart, the sequel to Blood Red Road. Blood Red Road won the 2011 Costa Children's Book Award and was optioned for film by Ridley Scott.
MORE NEWS: Moira's publisher Scholastic have created a fabulous free newpaper for teens featuring a variety of their fantastic teen titles. Click here to have a read.
