The Kingdoms

The Kingdoms is a historical adventure novel by the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Watchmaker of Filigree Street. It is shortlisted for the HWA Gold Crown and longlisted for the British Science Fiction Association 2021 Best Novel. The novel follows Joe Tournier, a British slave in the French Empire, who has flashes of a life he cannot remember and a world that never existed. He embarks on a journey to unravel the truth, taking him from French-occupied London to a remote Scottish island and back through time.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 448 pages
Publication date: 17 February 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

For fans of Matt Haig, Stuart Turton, and Bridget Collins, prepare to embark on a sweeping historical adventure that will transport you to the enchanting realms of the past. From the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Watchmaker of Filigree Street comes a novel that is original, joyous, and horrifying, leaving you in tears by the end.

"The Kingdoms" is an awe-inspiring feat of imagination and passion that will captivate your senses and keep you eagerly turning the pages. Set in the tumultuous times of the French Empire, the story follows Joe Tournier, a British slave who has never left England, let alone London. He leads a seemingly ordinary life with a job, a wife, and a baby daughter, but deep within, he carries a secret that haunts him—memories of a life he cannot remember and a world that never existed.

One day, Joe receives a postcard that holds the key to unlocking his forgotten past. On the front is a lighthouse—Eilean Mor, in the Outer Hebrides—a place he has never seen. The postcard was first written nearly one hundred years ago by a stranger who seems to know him very well. Determined to unravel the truth, Joe embarks on a journey that takes him from the bustling streets of French-occupied London to a remote Scottish island, and back through time itself.

As Joe navigates through the treacherous waters of history, he encounters a cast of characters that are as fascinating as they are enigmatic. From the mysterious lighthouse keeper to the enigmatic French aristocrat, each person adds a layer of mystery to the unfolding story. With danger lurking around every corner, Joe must use all his wits and courage to battle for his life and for a very different future.

"The Kingdoms" is a masterfully crafted novel that blends historical fiction with elements of mystery and adventure. It is a testament to the power of storytelling and the ability of literature to transport us to different worlds and times. Prepare to be swept away by the magic of this unforgettable tale.

Weight: 306g
Dimension: 179 x 246 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526623157