Susan Price

The Sterkarm Handshake: Dense, immensely complicated

The Sterkarm Handshake by Susan Price

In the 21st century an invention has finally been perfected: The Time Tube, which allows contemporary scientists, researches and corporate moneymakers to travel back into the 16th century and mingle with the locals there. Think of the possibilities! Plentiful supplies of oil, gold and coal, an extraordinary opportunity to study ancient life, and a pollution-free resort for those wealthy enough to make the trip. The corporation FUP has already purchased the troublesome borderlands between 16th century Scotland and England in order to begin development.

But there's just one problem: the Sterkarms. This warrior tribe are those that lay claim to the land, and have a reputation that has gained themselves the saying: "Never shake hands with a Sterkarm." Since all the Sterkarms are left-handed, it is easy for them to conceal a dagger in their right hands whilst shaking with their left, and as such ar... Read More

A Sterkarm Kiss: Doesn’t hold up well

A Sterkarm Kiss by Susan Price

The novel that preceded this, The Sterkarm Handshake was an explosive, riveting and nail-biting story based around the concept of the cultural clash that would follow 21st century time travelers attempting to exploit the riches and opportunities that the past had to offer. The corporation FUP had completed a Time Tube that would transport employees into the past of a different dimension, in order to explore the possibilities that the unspoilt land offered. Only one thing stood in their way; the fierce and treacherous Sterkarms who were not prepared to stop their feuding and troublemaking just because a bunch of "Elves" asked them to.

The scientific ramifications of a time traveling device was not the focus of the novel; instead Susan Price focused solely on the interactions between past and present, and the impossible odds that her protagonist Andrea Mitchell had... Read More

More books by Susan Price

Ghost World — (1987—1993) Ages 9-12. Publisher: Czar Guidon kept his son Safa imprisoned in a tower. His power could only be matched by the witch — girl Chingis. Out of the frozen wastes she studied the words and runes that would give her power to understand the messages of the ghost drum. At last she heard Safa’s cries… This book was awarded the 1987 Library Association’s Carnegie Medal.

Elfgift — (1995—1996) Young adult. Publisher: Elfgift is a half — breed, a devil — spawn, an illegitimate child of a king. And now Elfgift’s dying father has named the thing his heir. But Elfgift has legitimate brothers, who have been brought up as members of the court. No elf — child will deprive them of their birthright.

Olly Spellmaker — (2004—2005) Ages 9-12. Publisher: When the Matheson family come downstairs to find that their living room is unnaturally — indeed frighteningly — tidy, they assume it’s a break — in (obsessively tidy thieves?). But soon the truth becomes clear. It’s Hairy Bill — a brownie or bogle, the Matheson family’s very own house spirit. Soon the whole house is redecorated in Scottish Baronial style — deer’s heads, tartan aplenty, Scottish landscapes on the wall. The Mathesons don’t want to live with a demonic answer to Carole Smillie but the only way to get rid of him is to call in Olly Spellmaker… and she’s nearly as bad as Hairy Bill. Dressed in leathers and riding a huge motorbike, she swears she can get rid of the hairy horror — as long as she has the help of the Matheson’s son Alex. The thing is, Alex really doesn’t want to have to help…

Odin — (2005—2008) Young adult. Kylie and Affie, two teens from opposite sides of the track, are thrown together as their roles in society suddenly change. The great god Odin, begins to communicate through Kylie. Pampered and precious Affie is sold as a slave after her father’s suicide. A stunning futuristic fantasy. Where the wealthy are genetically designed and slavery is a fact of life.