Floodland

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Yes, it wasn't as good as most of the books I've read in my life, but it's definitely not the worst story ever.

The belief that she will one day find her parents spurs Zoe on in her dramatic voyage, in a story full of of courage and determination. I understand Zoe is only 10 so should only have the understanding of a 10-year-old; and the book is aimed at older children rather than adults; but I still would have liked the book to be longer to give more of a background because even young kiddies like to know why! Alone and desperate among marauding gangs, she manages to dig a derelict boat out of the mud and get away to Eels Island.Half way to what’s left of the mainland she comes across another small isle that is dominated by huge Cathedral. Norwich is an island and Ely Cathedral, which was originally built on a hill 68 feet above flat fenland, rises now on a tiny island about one mile wide. If it was that tragedy brings out the worst in humans then it did a good job but it didn't go deep enough.

The language in the book is simple to read but very descriptive, using lots of metaphors and personification. the ending came with a large dose of skepticism on my part as it was unbelievable and unsatisfactory. Put this together with the feral survival of the children on the Island of Eels and you have Floodland.As for how it won an award, I suspect that's solely because it illustrates one of the future consequences of climate change: some real countries likely will be flooded that badly.

Poe's story, as well as his own fascination with technique, provided that final piece of the puzzle.I didn’t really believe in the characters or their dynamics and relationships and felt the ending was rather cliched. I love Marcus Sedgwick and his writing style and this being his debut novel was clearly a stepping stone for his future work to come. Set on the east coast of England after the sea has risen and flooded much of East Anglia, Floodland tells the story of ten year old Zoe who has lost her parents in a confusing rescue mission from her home island of Norwich. She finds her way to Eel Island, a place where mobs rule in a bid for survival in a dark, dank graveyard of a world. I've given it three stars rather than two though because the author wasn't to blame for the publisher's failure, while the story displays clear potential.