Feather lives on a crumbling wall with her little sister, mother and the rest of her village. They are surrounded by an ever-creeping forest which is a mass of mysteries and monsters. Creatures lurk through the shadows and if they don’t get you, the forest itself will. At least, that’s what the children of the wall are told to keep them safe.

Even with this ever growing malice in mind, Feather yearns for adventure. While foraging for food along the wall one day, she discovers a stranger. He says he’s from somewhere else, but Feather has always believed that her village is the only one that exists. There are no other humans out there? Or is the stranger telling the truth?

Regardless, Feather relishes having a secret of her own. She tells no-one of this strange boy with even stranger tales to tell. But when he betrays her, she has no option but to set out after him across the wall and into the unknown. She must put things to right in her world before she returns.

What she discovers in her search not only changes her narrow view of the world, but those of every tribe she meets. Even her own.

Another luscious Frances Hardinge adventure, beautifully brought to life on the page by illustrator Emily Gravett. This multi-award winning team (and individually), have given readers yet another door into a fantastical world of creepy creatures, adventure and discovery.

Main character Feather’s quest to avenge her village and a brush with terrible danger, captures readers early and allows them to ride alongside her into the unknown.

Loved it!

Author – Frances Hardinge

Illustrator – Emily Gravett

Age – 11+

(2025, Pan Macmillan, Too Hoots, Action, Adventure, Secret, Betrayal, Fantasy, Forest, Creatures, Dystopian, Nature, Stolen, Thief, Chase, Pursue, Spyglass, Telescope, Courage, Determination, Bravery, Quest, Mystery, Growing up)