Blood Flowers by Jay McGuiness (author) and Katlego Phatlane (illustrator)

An explosive new dystopian YA, perfect for fans of The Hunger Games,The Atlas Six and Leigh Bardugo.
Seventeen-year-old Bear lives in the walled town of Calleston – a place of stark divide between the rich and poor. Living down in Cobbleside, Bear is painfully conscious of the inequalities between him and residents of Roofside.
When the town’s annual Field Day – an event during which those who’ve recently come of age test their Sinsen growing capacities – shows Bear to have unprecedented abilities, he’s hurtled into the upper echelons of society, and everything he’s ever wanted is within his grasp. But it soon becomes apparent, that it’s not all he expected it to be. He finds himself existing amidst an uncaring, callous people, concerned only with themselves, living in a society in which corruption is rife.
Finding himself unwillingly entangled with the Overlord’s beautiful but spiteful daughter, Bear is forced to make decisions which may jeopardise everything he’s dreamed of – or risk the lives of the people he once lived amongst.
A story of love, witchcraft, betrayal and murder!

From member of internationally adored band The Wanted, Jay McGuiness, comes his breathtaking debut YA novel.

A beautifully told YA with themes of poverty, class divide and addiction.

A powerful plot, sweeping, heartfelt romance and an iconic new YA hero.

Product Details

Catalogue number

617 in Setanta Teen October 2025 and 1289 in Setanta SCB September 2025

Format

Paperback

ISBN

9780702328770

Publisher

Scholastic

Date published

February 1st, 2024

Other details

432 pages

Condition

New

Reviews

Pauline Tynan
on 19 March 2024

Gripping read

Fantastic read and very impressive debut novel from Jay McGuiness. First in a trilogy, I strongly recommend checking it out

5 out of 5
Emma
on 17 March 2024

Fantastic debut novel!

An amazing debut novel! Very well written, allowing the reader to feel like they’re right there with the characters in Calleston.
So excited for the next instalment of this fantastic fantasy series!
Huge congratulations Jay, so proud of you x

5 out of 5
Kim D
on 16 March 2024

Thrilling debut

Thoroughly enjoyed this debut novel. The author cleverly develops and crafts his characters so you immediately feel a kinship with the main characters, Bear, Felix and Meg. The town of Calleston with its Cobbleside and Roofside dwellings is beautifully described and I felt completely immersed in the surroundings as the author fed all the information you needed to all of your senses so you could truly feel, smell and hear everything around you.
The plot built layer upon layer gradually and then the pace quickened in the latter stages as various twists and turns were revealed and the reader was left both thrilled and horrified but definitely wanting to find out what happens next.
I’m looking forward to reading more by this author.

5 out of 5
Kim D
on 3 March 2024

Fantastic debut novel

Thoroughly enjoyed this debut novel. The author cleverly develops and crafts his characters so you immediately feel a kinship with the main characters, Bear, Felix and Meg. The town of Calleston with its Cobbleside and Roofside dwellings is beautifully described and I felt completely immersed in the surroundings as the author fed all the information you needed to all of your senses so you could truly feel, smell and hear everything around you.
The plot built layer upon layer gradually and then the pace quickened in the latter stages as various twists and turns were revealed and the reader was left both thrilled and horrified but definitely wanting to find out what happens next.
I’m looking forward to reading more by this author.

5 out of 5