Image 1 of 1
Note for readers outside of the uk
While we always encourage purchasing directly from our website – as this benefits both the charity and the author – we understand that international postage has become increasingly expensive. As a charity press, we’re unable to offer free postage as the current shipping cost to addresses outside of the UK is higher than we feel is fair to ask readers to pay.
For that reason, we recommend ordering your print copy of Blood Red Sky through your country’s Amazon listing, where you can access Amazon Prime delivery. Or, visit your local bookshop and ask them about stocking Blood Red Sky! You can also order the eBook directly through Arkbound here, which (of course) has no postage. Thank you for visiting the Arkbound bookshop, and please continue supporting small presses by ordering directly whenever you can! Any questions, please email hello@arkbound.com.
Find Blood Red Sky on Amazon: Ireland, USA, Canada, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Belgium
Praise for Blood Red Sky
Listed Cork Fiction Book of the Year 2025
– The Irish Examiner
“Infuriating, moving and uplifting, Blood Red Sky is a triumph.”
— The Scotsman
“A no-nonsense, politically serious critique of class inequality and youth justice... Parents don’t read books like this to their kids, but perhaps they should.”
— Darren McGarvey, author of Poverty Safari: Understanding the Anger of Britain’s Underclass
A sobering and thought provoking book for readers of any age.
— The Herald
“An important read about the glamour free YOI custody experience in Scotland for young people, anyone working around or concerned with youth justice (we all should be!).”
— Graeme Armstrong, author of Scots Book of the Year, The Young Team
“Beautifully written, raw and real, the characters feel like flesh and blood and the pacing is 'edge-of-your-seat.”
— Margaret McDonald, author of Glasgow Boys
“A deeply affecting look at the impact of intergenerational poverty and violence on family bonds.”
— Gráinne Murphy, author of Greener
“Blood Red Sky shines a harsh light on youth justice in lockdown – a powerful story of love, loss and the fight for truth.”
— Chris Wild, National Youth Advisor for Young People and author of The State of It
“Realist fiction at its most powerful”
— Jennifer Horgan, author of O Captain, My Captain’: One Teacher’s Call for Change…
“A necessary light of compassion in the dark shadow of social exclusion.”
— Gwen Adshead, co-author of BBC Book of the Week, The Devil You Know
“Hard-hitting, immersive and poignant.”
— Nicola Garrard, author of On the Edge
“[The Pandemic] compelled readers to consider how environments inside and outside the justice system not only shape, but compound, the enduring impacts of poverty and class. An important read and conversation.”
— Lynn Ruane, Independent Senator for Trinity College
About the Author, Sara Cullen
Sara Cullen is an Irish writer living in Fife, Scotland. Sara’s commitment to writing for social justice began in her teens when she joined Amnesty International and corresponded with a pen pal on death row in Oklahoma. Inspired by To Kill a Mockingbird at age 13 (thanks to her English teacher), Sara pursued a degree in English Literature from University College Cork and later spent 17 years teaching English in Scottish high schools. She also served as a Guidance Teacher in areas of high deprivation.
Sara’s dedication to child welfare led her to work in the Public Protection Unit and earn a qualification in Child Welfare and Protection from the University of Stirling. Her writing reflects her belief that books have the power to change the world and her commitment to amplifying the voices of care-experienced children who have encountered the justice system at a young age.
9781911740056