Half Bad

Last updated

Half Bad
Half Bad book cover.jpg
Front cover of the first edition of Half Bad
AuthorSally Green
LanguageEnglish
SeriesThe Half Bad trilogy
Genre Young adult (Fantasy)
Publisher Puffin Books (UK)
Viking Press (US)
Publication date
4 March 2014 (US)
3 March 2014 (UK)
Publication place United Kingdom
Media typePrint (Hardback & Paperback)
Pages400pp (hardback, first edition)
ISBN 9780670016785
Followed by Half Wild  

Half Bad is a 2014 young adult fantasy novel written by English author Sally Green that won the 2015 Waterstones Teen Book Prize and was shortlisted for the 2015 Branford Boase Award.

Contents

On 3 March 2014, the book set the Guinness World Record as the 'Most Translated Book by a Debut Author, Pre-publication', having sold in 45 languages prior to its UK publication by Penguin books. [1]

Plot

Half Bad is set in modern-day Europe, mainly in Britain, where witches and humans (Fains) live together. There are two primary types of witches: Black witches (generally oppressed and written off as evil) and White witches (the main population). The 17-year-old protagonist, Nathan, is half White and half Black, or Half Code. His mother is dead, and his father, Marcus, is the most powerful and violent Black witch in history. Because of his parentage, Nathan's every move is monitored by the Council of White Witches. He is forced to follow a strict set of rules, but when he breaks one too many, he is taken away from his grandmother and entrusted into the care of a White witch, Celia. Trapped in a cage and abused by Celia, Nathan must escape before his seventeenth birthday, to find his father, and receive three gifts from him and his Gift. Otherwise, he will die.

Story terms

Characters

Development

Sally Green submitted Half Bad to an agent in January 2013; in March, editorial director Ben Horslen acquired the manuscript for Penguin Books children's imprint Puffin Books, billing it "the book of the Bologna Children's Book Fair" after a 6-figure bidding war. [2] In the run up to its publication in the UK on March 3, 2014, international rights to Half Bad sold rapidly; within 13 weeks of acquisition, it had sold in 25 territories; [3] by November 2013, 36. [4] Upon publication day, it broke the Guinness World Record for 'Most Translated Book by a Debut Author, Pre-publication' with 45 different translations. [1]

Reception

Even prior to its publication people drew comparisons to The Hunger Games , [5] Harry Potter or the Twilight series. Half Bad has also been compared to Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell. [6] Additionally, Half Bad has already broken two Guinness World Records as the most translated book – and the most translated children's book – by a debut author before publication. [7]

A Publishers Weekly starred review states, "This grim and thrilling tale, first in a planned trilogy, features understated prose that lets readers' imaginations fill in the blanks, as well as a well-developed sense of Witch culture. Nathan, the damaged survivor of horrific abuse, is an unforgettable protagonist, and Green expertly captures his torment at being caught between the mutually hostile sides of his heritage." [8] Kirkus Reviews states, "Green propels Nathan forward with the help of often underdeveloped secondary characters, who are overshadowed by the imaginary relationship Nathan builds with his father; it is this that keeps both Nathan and readers going." [9] In a review for Tor.com , Kat Kennedy writes, "Sally Green's Half Bad is the perfect novel for inspiring one to despise all of humanity or fall onto the ground and weep pathetically. Needless to say, it is an excellent book." [10]

In a review for The Guardian , Philip Womack writes, "While there is nothing new here, Half Bad's combination of themes will no doubt be entirely attractive to a large section of readers. Whether it will retain a hold on their imaginations is another matter." [11] In a review for The Telegraph , Martin Chilton writes, "Half Bad doesn't always feel particularly original (scenes are set in mysterious alleys) but it is full of suspense." [12]

Half Bad won the 2015 Waterstones Teen Book Prize. [13] [14] It was also shortlisted for the 2015 Branford Boase Award, which seeks to acknowledge outstanding debut novels for children and teenagers; it is an award presented both to the author and editor. [15] [16]

Sequel

Half Wild was released on 24 March 2015. [17] The third and final book in the series, Half Lost , was released in March 2016. [18]

In November 2014 a companion story, Half Lies was released. [19]

Adaptations

A feature film adaptation was announced by Fox 2000 in 2013 with Karen Rosenfelt attached, [20] but went unproduced. Netflix announced a TV adaptation in 2020, to be helmed by Joe Barton, [21] which was released 28 October 2022 as The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself . [22]

Related Research Articles

The Branford Boase Award is a British literary award presented annually to an outstanding children's or young-adult novel by a first-time writer; "the most promising book for seven year-olds and upwards by a first time novelist." The award is shared by both the author and their editor, which The Oxford Companion to Children's Literature noted is unusual for literary awards.

Marcus Sedgwick was a British writer and illustrator. He authored several young adult and children's books and picture books, a work of nonfiction and several novels for adults, and illustrated a collection of myths and a book of folk tales for adults. According to School Library Journal his "most acclaimed titles" were those for young adults.

Frances Hardinge is a British children's writer. Her debut novel, Fly by Night, won the 2006 Branford Boase Award and was listed as one of the School Library Journal Best Books. She has also been shortlisted for and received a number of other awards for both her novels as well as some of her short stories.

<i>A Swift Pure Cry</i> 2006 novel by Siobhan Dowd

A Swift Pure Cry is a 2006 novel by Siobhan Dowd about a teenager named Shell who lives in County Cork, Ireland. It won the 2007 Branford Boase Award and the Eilís Dillon Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tabitha Suzuma</span> British writer

Tabitha Sayo Victoria Anne Suzuma is a British writer. She was born in 1975 and lives in London. She used to work as a primary school teacher and now divides her time between writing and tutoring. She is known for her novel Forbidden which is based on a taboo relationship between brother and sister.

Jenny Downham is a British novelist and an ex-actress who has published four books.

Julia Eccleshare MBE is a British journalist and writer on the subject of children's books. She has been Children's Books editor for The Guardian newspaper for more than ten years, at least from 2000. She is also an editorial contributor and advisor for the website Love Reading 4 Kids. She is a recipient of the Eleanor Farjeon Award.

Lucy Christopher is a British/Australian author best known for her novel Stolen, which won the Branford Boase award 2010 in the UK, and the 2010 Gold Inky in Australia. Her second book, Flyaway, was shortlisted for the 2010 Costa Book Awards and the 2010 Waterstone's Children's Book Prize. She currently lives between Australia and the United Kingdom and has just finished her first book for an adult audience, RELEASE.

Annabel Pitcher is a British children's writer.

<i>My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece</i> 2011 novel by Annabel Pitcher

My Sister Lives On The Mantelpiece is a 2011 novel written by Annabel Pitcher. It won the 2012 Branford Boase Award, and received at least 25 other award nominations.

Barry Cunningham is a British publisher, who worked for various publishers including Penguin Books and Bloomsbury before setting up Chicken House publishing in 2000. He is most well known for signing J. K. Rowling and publishing Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Candy Gourlay</span> Filipino author based in the United Kingdom

Candy Gourlay is a Filipino journalist and author based in the United Kingdom whose debut novel Tall Story (2010) was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal.

<i>Half Wild</i> 2015 young adult fantasy novel by Tautis

Half Wild is young adult fantasy novel, and the second book in the Half-Life series by Sally Green. It was published on 24 March 2015 and is the sequel to Half Bad, which was released the previous year. Half Wild is the second book in the trilogy.

Sally Green is a British fantasy author. Her work includes the Half Bad trilogy, related short stories, and The Smoke Thieves trilogy. The Half Bad trilogy was adapted into the Netflix series The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself.

<i>Out of Shadows</i> 2010 childrens historical novel by Jason Wallace

Out of Shadows is a 2010 children's historical novel by Jason Wallace, published by Andersen Press on 28 January 2010. Set in 1980s Zimbabwe, the story follows white teenager Robert Jacklin at a prestigious boarding school as he confronts bullying, anti-black racism, his own morality and the political instability of the time. His debut novel, it is partly inspired by Wallace's own experiences attending a boarding school in Zimbabwe after the civil war. The novel was rejected by publishers one hundred times before being published by Andersen Press. The novel received favourable reviews and won the 2010 Costa Book Award for Children's Book, the 2011 Branford Boase Award and the 2011 UKLA Book Award. It was also shortlisted for the 2010 Booktrust Teenage Prize and the 2011 Carnegie Medal.

Ross Welford is an English children's science-fiction/fantasy author.

Elle McNicoll is a Scottish and British bestselling children's literature writer. McNicoll has been described as "undoubtedly an outstanding new talent in children's books [who] will inspire readers young and old for generations to come".

<i>Half Lost</i> Fantasy novel

Half Lost is a 2016 young adult fantasy novel written by English author Sally Green. It is the third and final installment in the Half Bad Trilogy and the sequel to the previous book in the trilogy Half Wild. The novel was published on March 29, 2016 by Penguin Random House publishing company.

Liz Hyder is an English author.

<i>The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself</i> Fantasy drama television series

The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself is a British fantasy drama television series created by Joe Barton, based on the novel Half Bad by Sally Green. The series tells the story of Nathan Byrne, a young man discovering his true identity as the illegitimate son of the dangerous witch Marcus Edge. Netflix released the series October 28, 2022, but canceled future episodes despite positive reviews.

References

  1. 1 2 "Most translated book by a debut author, pre-publication". Guinness World Records . Retrieved 11 February 2015.
  2. ↑ Charlotte Williams. "Puffin swoops on Half Bad ahead of Bologna". The Bookseller . Retrieved 11 February 2015.
  3. ↑ Page, Benedicte. "'Unprecedented' deals for Penguin's Sally Green". The Bookseller . Retrieved 11 February 2015.
  4. ↑ "Penguin racks up Half Bad deals". The Bookseller . Retrieved 11 February 2015.
  5. ↑ "2013 Best Books of the Year: Kate Atkinson Lists Her Favorite Reads of 2013". Archived from the original on 10 November 2013.
  6. ↑ Alberge, Dalya (19 November 2013). "Bewitching first novel by ex-accountant casts £1m spell on world of books". The Guardian.
  7. ↑ "A literary smash: Half Bad, the new Twilight by British author Sally Green". 22 March 2014.
  8. ↑ "Publishers Weekly review of Half Bad by Sally Green".
  9. ↑ "Half Bad". Kirkus Reviews . 15 February 2014. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  10. ↑ Kennedy, Kat (12 March 2014). "Try Not to Cry: Half Bad by Sally Green". Tor.com . Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  11. ↑ Womack, Philip (29 March 2014). "Half Bad by Sally Green review – witchy tale fails to cast a spell". The Guardian . Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  12. ↑ Chilton, Martin (28 March 2014). "Half Bad by Sally Green: review". The Telegraph . Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  13. ↑ "Waterstones children's book prize 2015 – shortlist announced!". The Guardian . 12 February 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  14. ↑ "Half Bad by Sally Green". Waterstones. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  15. ↑ "Branford Boase Award 2015 longlist". The Telegraph. 27 January 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  16. ↑ Drabble, Emily (6 May 2015). "Which books made the Branford Boase shortlist 2015?". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  17. ↑ Green, Sally [@Sa11eGreen] (15 September 2013). "Set out to write lots of Half Wild today -wrote approximately three sentences. But read all of Silver Linings Playbook" (Tweet). Retrieved 2 October 2021– via Twitter.
  18. ↑ "Half Lost (Half Life #3)". Goodreads. Penguin Books. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  19. ↑ Half Lies, A Half Bad story by Sally Green. 13 November 2014. Retrieved 8 April 2018.{{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  20. ↑ "Brewing A Franchise, Fox 2000 Nabs Rights To Sally Green Witch Novel 'Half Bad' by Mike Fleming Jr". 5 April 2013.
  21. ↑ "Netflix Unveils New U.K. Projects with Sam Mendes, Rowan Atkinson, Andy Serkis". 13 December 2020.
  22. ↑ "The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself shares new look and release date". radiotimes.com. Immediate Media Company Limited. 21 September 2022. Archived from the original on 21 September 2022. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.