Review Quotes:

***STARRED REVIEW***

"Wildly inventive worldbuilding, gentle humor, and indomitable, kindhearted characters, who read as white, distinguish this spirited tale of derring-do that's a triumph and a joy from start to finish."

***STARRED REVIEW***

"Rich in worldbuilding, wordplay, and a deep sense of humanity, Hardinge's latest...explores complex themes, including the incredible fragility of trust, the weight of individual sacrifices for the greater good, and questions of who should be entrusted with power...Layered and lush; an expertly woven tapestry.

Frances Hardinge is the winner of the Costa Book of the Year for The Lie Tree, one of just two young adult novels to win the major UK literary prize. Known for her beautiful use of language, Hardinge has written many critically acclaimed novels, including The Forest of a Thousand Eyes, Island of Whispers, Unraveller, Deeplight, A Skinful of Shadows, A Face Like Glass, Cuckoo Song, Gullstruck Island, Fly by Night, Verdigris Deep, and Fly Trap.

Review Citations:

• Publishers Weekly 06/01/2026 (EAN 9781419794148, Hardcover) - *Starred Review
• Kirkus Reviews 06/15/2026 (EAN 9781419794148, Hardcover) - *Starred Review
• School Library Journal 07/01/2026 pg. 95 (EAN 9781419794148, Hardcover) - *Starred Review

Contributor Bio:Hardinge, Frances
Frances Hardinge is the winner of the Costa Book of the Year for The Lie Tree, one of just two young adult novels to win the major UK literary prize. Known for her beautiful use of language, Hardinge has written many critically acclaimed novels, including Unraveller, Deeplight, A Skinful of Shadows, Cuckoo Song, Gullstruck Island, Fly by Night, Verdigris Deep, and Fly Trap. She lives in England.