Marcus Sedgwick is an award-winning author who has written over twenty-five books for children and young people, many of them also illustrated by him. His first book
Floodland – a dystopian YA novel about surviving in a sinking world - was published in 2000 and wowed readers, winning the Branford Boase Book Award.
Many of his books are thrillers with gothic themes inspired by folklore and fairytales. He has written about vampires, witches, monsters and angels, and set in his book across all ages – the Russian Revolution, World War I, nineteenth century Britain and even the future. The dark themes of death and violence in many of his young adult books are offset by the thrilling plot twists and magical elements.
As well as his young adult novels, he has written two bestselling series for younger readers. In 2009 he released
The Raven Mysteries, narrated by a bad-tempered raven called Edgar and in 2012 came
Elf Girl and Raven Boy, a funny and magical adventure series for readers 8+.
Sedgwick’s latest book coming out this May
Voyages in the Underworld of Orpheus Black is the story of two brothers in second world war London and is co-written by his own brother Julian Sedgwick. The book follows Harry Black as he tries to search from his brother, mortally injured in an air raid. Injured himself, Harry’s mind is confused and he boundaries blur between the mythical Underworld, his own sci fi novel and the realities of war-torn Britain.