Children of the Black Glass

In a middle-grade fantasy novel, Tell and Wren set out to save their father from a sorcerers coup in the legendary city of Halfway. The city is ruled by five powerful female sorcerers, and the siblings must scramble to save themselves and their new friends while allegiances shift and prejudices crack open.

Format: Hardback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 27 April 2023
Publisher: Simon & Schuster

In a captivating middle-grade fantasy, this story blends the whimsical world of Howls Moving Castle with the imaginative brilliance of Neil Gaiman. Set in a world that is both mesmerizing and menacing, it follows a group of children on a perilous quest to save their father from the clutches of rival sorcerers.

In a cruel alternate past, somewhere between the Stone Age and the Metal Age, Tell and his sister Wren reside in a small mountain village that sustains itself through the treacherous black glass mines and operates under harsh laws. Tragedy strikes when their father loses his sight in a mining accident, leaving him with only thirty days to regain his vision and regain his former working abilities or face the grim fate of execution.

Determined to save their father, Tell and Wren embark on a forbidden and treacherous journey to the legendary city of Halfway, halfway down the mountain. They trade their father's precious haul of black glass for the medicine that can cure him, hoping to find solace and a way to break the cycle of misfortune.

However, what they discover in Halfway is far from what they expected. The city, ruled by five powerful female sorcerers, initially captivates the siblings with its glittery facade. But beneath the surface, simmering ambition, violence, prejudice, blackmail, and an impending sense of chaos threaten to engulf them.

Unaware of the impending danger, Tell and Wren unwittingly find themselves caught up in a sorcerers coup. Over the next twelve days, they must navigate a web of shifting allegiances and fractured friendships as prejudices crumble and true power emerges.

Through their bravery, resilience, and the unwavering support of their newfound friends, Tell and Wren must confront the dark forces that threaten to tear their world apart. They learn the importance of empathy, forgiveness, and the power of unity in the face of adversity.

In the end, their quest to save their father brings them closer together and teaches them the true meaning of courage and selflessness. The world of Halfway may be filled with danger and uncertainty, but it also holds the potential for transformation and redemption.

This captivating middle-grade fantasy blends the magic of storytelling with the depth of character development, leaving readers of all ages enchanted and inspired.

Weight: 450g
Dimension: 216 x 148 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781665913133