‘This highly promising first novel has echoes of Sutcliff and Tolkien. As well as powerful story-telling, care and attention is paid to recreating everything from patterns of speech to a whole way of life.’ Publishing News

‘It is a truly huge adventure which takes the reader right into the heart of this merciless land … vividly brought to life.’Liverpool Echo

‘A sweeping historical drama, drawing you into the rich tapestry of life, that will have you hooked til the end.’ Angels and Urchins

‘Katy Moran clothes this stunning adventure with the authentic feel of the Dark Ages. From the opening moments of the story to its satisfyingly romantic conclusion, the reader is caught up in the struggle for power, the conflicting loyalties of the protagonists and the bloody feuds Essa has to cope with as he moves into manhood and seeks to establish his identity. It’s a long time since I read a novel for older, fluent readers as good as this. New author, Katy Moran, writes with the same imaginative spirit which surfaces in her central character, and no greater compliment can be paid to her than to say that the reader is only too willing to be ensnared and captured by her narrative drive.’ Carousel

‘Wonderful and extremely gripping.’ First News

‘A bleak tale from a harsh time, told with elegance and graceful mystical overtones … impressive debut‘ Kirkus Reviews

‘The sword-and-shield pageantry found in Tolkien’s Middle Earth and Paolini’s Alagesia gets a historically based tweak in this adventure.’ Booklist

‘Essa’s story is likely to inspire readers to do more research into the period, as it fully imagines and animates a people of passion, dignity, humor, and complexity caught in the conceits of madmen greedy for land, power, and the domination of their own religious ideals.’ Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books – Starred review

‘Well written and deeply researched, Bloodline moves along at a steady pace with enough intrigue and mystery to keep readers turning pages. It is a wonderful story of emotional and physical discovery that reads with “you are there” immediacy.’ School Library Journal – Starred review

‘Full of bloody battles and epic adventure.’ Voya