'The new master of books for children' The Times
The final finished copies of my new book, MIDNIGHT TREASURE, are here!
And they are a thing of beauty. Look at that wolf! Those eyes!
But to appreciate all the detail you will have to get hold of a copy in store. Don’t forget to see what’s under the dust jacket or the endpapers…
All the artwork, including a map and the fabulous cover, is by the brilliant Alla Khatkevich.
In shops from September 5th, available for pre-order now.
The proofs have dropped for my new book, MIDNIGHT TREASURE, which will be published by @hachettechildrens on September 5th.
It is the beginning of a new fantasy series for children, inspired by a hand-drawn map of a mysterious fantasy land by my Dad, which led to exploring my family connections to Transylvania, and an extraordinary train trip to that magical place, where I have stayed with a real Count, been washed down a mountain and attacked by a pack of wild dogs.
And if I have learned anything on my travels, it is this :
IF THERE IS ONE THING VAMPIRS CRAVE AS MUCH AS BLOOD, IT IS TREASURE . . .
Tibor is a werwolf, adopted
by his guardian, a powerful vampir. He and his friend Roza are on the deadliest of quests, and one that will test their very immortality.
But they’re not the only ones hunting for the Midnight Treasure. Battling with bears, wrestling with vampirs and racing against the clock, Tibor and Roza must decide who to trust. And whether they will dare reveal the secrets . . . of the Midnight Treasure.
A few very kind people were generous enough to read early copies, and I am both blown away by and enormously grateful for their words:
“Stop the hunt for your next epic read because this is a treasure of a fantasy book. High stakes, big heart, frightfully good.”
A. F. STEADMAN
‘A brilliant fantasy adventure.’
ANTHONY MCGOWAN
‘One of my favourite children’s books ever.’
LAUREN ST JOHN
‘Breathless, bold and endlessly imaginative’
JONATHAN STROUD
‘This is storytelling at its very best.’
ELODIE HARPER
‘Epic, glorious, enchanting and dangerous: a writer at the height of his powers.’
EMMA CARROLL
‘An unmissable tale’
ABI ELPHINSTONE
‘A triumph of storytelling.’
POLLY YO-HEN
‘I loved this epic quest
adventure full of surprising twists and turns.’
H S NORUP
‘Lush, cinematic,
deliciously dark and
compelling . . . A thrilling treasure trove’
ROSS MONTGOMERY
‘Wildly inventive fantasy’
MIRA BARTOK
If you would like proof, send me a vial of your blood. Otherwise, you can pre-order an actual book here.
Cover illustrations © Alla Khatkevich 2024