Saint Death | 
pickArturo is a poor teenager living totally on his own in a shack in Mexico on the border of El Paso. He works to support himself so can't attend school. His best friend hasn't been in touch for a year until he suddenly shows up because he's in trouble . Set over 24 hours, there's a plot twist. This book can be read as a fast-paced story, or as a statement about immigration, & the drug trade in the U.S. & its impact on the lives of Mexicans.
so-soThe skull on the cover is fair warning: this is for brave readers. Life in this Mexican border town is brutal & Sedgwick pushes a lot of buttons including: religious faith; gambling; deadbeat fathers; economic exploitation. I love that this novel puts a sympathetic human face on the social justice crisis happening today in Mexico & Central America. It‘s so realistic, even with the supernatural touch of Saint Death, but too nihilistic for me.
pickI absolutely loved this book, the content in it was very important even for YA and the card game seems cool. Would recommend for anyone trying to understand the problems with immigration laws or cartels in Mexico.
I like the design of this book, and that Spanish language punctuation conventions help immerse readers in the Mexican setting, even though the text is mostly in English.
Calavera, the skull. The symbol of all our vanity. We dress & we preen & we strive & we love & we fight & we cry & we hurt & we love again & we undress & dress again & we are proud & afraid & jealous, we are oh-so-jealous & more than that we are afraid, afraid, we are terrified & yet something keeps us going, something that keeps us moving in spite of everything, but that something…? That something is vanity itself.
Now that I‘m about to start my breakfast, I wish I would‘ve put turmeric in my squash soup. Everything else is so yellow, even the sprayed edges on that book!
“…and in the far corner, at the card tables, Arturo plays cards for Faustino‘s life.”
Book club pick. Sedgwick always feels like a chore because I don‘t get on with his writing style, but the other members of the book club love him, so we‘ve read a lot. I don‘t know why I can appreciate other authors drawing on Arthurian and Faustian legends, but when Sedgwick does it, for me it falls flat.
Drop off overdue books at library and pick up book that was on hold! This is a Book Club pick that‘s coming up soon!
#spookyoctober #octoberfavorites
My four star October reads.
pick#uncannyoctober #bare
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This gritty story of life on the border of the US and Mexico is a powerful read. A timely thriller about immigration involving drug cartels, fate and a card game that kept me on the edge of my seat. My first book by Sedgwick and he did not disappoint.
I officially have a bookstagram! I've never done this before, any tips or tricks?
¡Feliz día de independencia México! Para celebrar me voy a empezar este libro de unos de mis favoritos autores, Marcus Sedgewick. Estoy muy emocionada para empezarlo!
"Don't worry where you're going; you will die where you have to."
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Just started this yesterday. It lingers as his books usually do. Not my favorite of his books but at the same time I like the subject matter. And oh that cover... Gorgeous
Couldn't wait to start this one tonight. And yes I jumped in bed by 7 to start it. 😊
panJust really not a fan of the writing style. And the story itself felt a bit disjointed and off.
pickMarcus Sedgwick's contemporary YA novel is a dark, stark look at the harsh realities of life in a Mexican border town and although it's a difficult and bleak read, it makes you think about the lives and limited opportunities available to the people, which drives many into crime and how US and Western policy and businesses contributes to that.
pickEVERY TIME I finish one of Marcus Sedgwick's books, I have to catch my breath at the end.
Saint Death is eye-opening. There are several themes in here that apply to this world today and, coincidentally, to current immigration/US-Mexico border issues. But it isn't all political! The further Arturo creeps into the dark side of Juarez, the harder my heart raced.
Short read, but not a single word is wasted, as is Sedgwick's way. Intense and so good.
Book mail! My friend just sent this to me after we kept seeing it in the book stores last week. Can't wait to dig in but it's going to have to wait. Looks good!
I'm reading way after midnight because I'm trying to calm down from ⭐️seeing Trevor Noah Live tonight ⭐️
It was awesome. I've never seen a live comedy show before but it was similar to the Born A Crime audio: comedy with real/serious stuff mixed in. I loved the show so much and laughed til I cried.
Also: I'm enjoying Saint Death so far which doesn't surprise me-I love Marcus Sedgwick's work. I'm about halfway thru. And this cover is great 📖
I took my girls to see Marcus Sedgwick in Raleigh a couple of nights ago - their first ever book event!
They had a great time and want to go to more book events, they said. OF COURSE, this makes me happy happy happy ❤
(If you've already seen this picture on IG: I'm sorry for the double post. I'm just really proud! Also, I'm a huge fan of Marcus Sedgwick's books.)
Just picked this up at the local book shop. I didn't even know it was out there. The author is going to be at said bookstore on Friday but yet again I can't go. 😞
Some fab #halloweenreads - including signed copies of Saint Death! - in this Tales On Moon Lane display. #booktober has been really fun; thank you @RealLifeReading for running it! #getindie
I am lucky enough to be sent some awesome books and swag from publishers - these playing cards for Saint Death look especially cool!
