Two worlds. Uptop is a land of rubble and ruin, soldiers and secrets. Below is the realm of the Strigg, an ancient birdlike race that fled from the destruction above ground many years before.

These worlds remain apart, the Strigg colonising the underground in a dark labyrinth of tunnels and paths as their home, and Uptop not even remotely aware of their existence. Until a boy falls into a well.

A young Strigg is exploring the tunnels when she discovers the Toppa (human creature) boy near drowning. She saves him. Hides him. Ellee knows her friends, family and leaders will be horrified at what she has done, but she just couldn’t let him die.

The repercussions of her kindness explode in her world. A mercy expedition, flight, escape, gunfire,  cages, courage and danger beyond her wildest nightmares. The Strigg leaders have important decisions to make to save their people. Ellee’s brother Sidfred just might have the answer. But it means delving deep into their past and trusting ancient technologies. Can Ellee and Sidfred make things right again?

This is an extraordinary story. It begins as soon as you open the beautifully bound hardback cover. You will see the map of Striggworld, showing tunnels and halls, shafts and chutes. This is where Ellee lives with her brother and frail father. Just as Toppas (us) do, the Strigg aspire to be leaders, love their families, want to prove themselves and when needed, dig deep for courage.

A helpful glossary of Strigg terms is given, along with colour illustrations of characters and scenes interspersed throughout the story. Fantastic read!

Author/Illustrator – Chris Mousdale

Age – 8+

Teachers Notes here

(Action, Fantasy, Dystopian, Family, Courage, Tunnels, Underground, Violence, Science, Kindness, Mission, Revolution, NZ Author, New Zealand Author. Kiwi Author)