It was good to be alive.
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ALISON CROGGON
“This is a tale with passion, inspiring characters, an enchanting protagonist and vividly described landscapes … a great series of fantasy novels that will delight fans of Garth Nix and G P Taylor.”
The Bookseller
Maerad is an orphaned slave in a harsh settlement, unaware that she possesses a powerful Gift: one that marks her as a member of the School of Pellinor. When she is rescued by Cadvan, a Bard of Lirigon, her destiny begins to unfold. But before Maerad can attain her true heritage, she and Cadvan must embark on a treacherous journey and confront dark forces of the most terrifying kind.
“Croggon’s world is rich and passionate, brimming with archetypal motifs but freshly splendorous in its own right. Supremely satisfying.”
Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Despite her tragic and bitter past, Maerad’s powers grow stronger by the day. Pursued by both the Light and the Dark, she and her mentor, Cadvan of Lirigon, seek the Riddle of the Treesong – the key to restoring peace to their kingdom. As they travel across the ravaged landscape, Maerad is drawn ever closer to the Winterking, the author of her sorrows and the strongest ally of the Nameless One – the greatest tyrant of all.
“The action never flags in this compellingly readable fantasy tale. Riveting and intense, it is a spellbinding addition to a stellar fantasy series.”
VOYA
The forces of the Nameless One grow ever stronger, and in the frozen wastelands of the north Maerad seeks to unravel the mysteries of the Treesong, which may hold the key to peace. Meanwhile her troubled and unhappy brother, Hem, is sent south to Turbansk. But evil forces threaten to destroy the city, and it becomes clear that Hem’s own destiny is linked to the Treesong more closely than he knows. Aided by his pet crow, Irc, Hem spies on the child armies of the Dark … with perilous consequences.
“Fans of the series will enjoy seeing the final stage of Maerad’s transformation from a slave to her world’s savior, and they will once again be drawn into this complex and gripping tale.”
School Library Journal
“Atmospheric throughout, and gripping till the end, with a tension that never abates, Black Spring is a lyrical masterpiece.”
ArtsHub
In the grim Northern Plateau, where vendetta holds sway and wizards enforce the code of blood and vengeance, corruption of minds and of nature go hand in hand. Lina has witch’s powers but they cannot guard her against the enigmatic, brooding force of Damek, with whom she is besotted.
A wild, passionate story of possessive desire and destructive longing, inspired by the timeless classic Wuthering Heights.
“This is a lyrical and rewarding story… It raises complex issues about the rights of Indigenous peoples, environmental degradation and the impact of Western society in ways that are engaging and thought-provoking.”
Books+Publishing
Simbala is a Keeper, the latest in a long line of women who can read the Book to find answers to people’s questions.
When developers begin to poison the River on which Simbala’s village relies, the Book predicts change. But this does not come in the form they expect; it is the sympathetic foreigner who comes to stay who inflicts the greatest damage of all.
THE BONE QUEEN
Alison Croggon is the acclaimed author of the high fantasy series The Books of Pellinor, as well as Black Spring, a fantasy reworking of Wuthering Heights, and The River and the Book. Alison is an award-winning poet whose work has been published extensively in anthologies and magazines internationally. She has written widely for theatre, and her opera libretti have been produced all around Australia. Alison is also an editor and critic. She lives in Melbourne with her husband, the playright Daniel Keene.
For more information about Alison, visit:
www.alisoncroggon.com
or follow her on Twitter: @alisoncroggon
Other titles by this author
The Books of Pellinor
The Bone Queen
The Gift
The Riddle
The Crow
The Singing
Black Spring
The River and the Book
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or, if real, used fictitiously. All statements, activities, stunts, descriptions, information and material of any other kind contained herein are included for entertainment purposes only and should not be relied on for accuracy or replicated as they may result in injury.
First published in Great Britain 2016 by Walker Books Ltd
87 Vauxhall Walk, London SE11 5HJ
Text © 2016 Alison Croggon
Maps drawn by Niroot Puttapipat
The right of Alison Croggon to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted or stored in an information retrieval system in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, taping and recording, without prior written permission from the publisher.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data:
a catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN 978-1-4063-6923-6 (ePub)
www.walker.co.uk