The Twelve

Reviews / Votes

Reminiscent of Alan Garner * Financial Times, Best Book of 2024 * Haunting and resonant, with echoes of Susan Cooper and Alan Garner, this gripping 12+ timeslip novel by the award-winning author of Bearmouth is heightened by De Freston's dreamy black and white illustrations. * Guardian, best YA books of 2024 * Channelling the dark menace of classic British fantasy writers such as Susan Cooper and Alan Garner, this is a beguiling tale of ancient magic, good and evil, deeply rooted in the Welsh landscape * Observer * The ancient past is rendered vividly in this book that is ideal for tweens and teens who love beachcombing for fossils * Times Children's Book of the Week * What a fabulous book. Hauntingly beautiful, this is such a special time slip story with themes of bullying, coming of age and courage. It's also a true love song to nature. With breathtaking art by Tom de Freston. -- Hannah Gold Dark, dreamy, surreal and beautiful. Liz Hyder is a sublime writer. -- Katya Balen An absolutely mesmerising, unputdownable text is enhanced by the beautiful atmospheric illustrations by Tom de Freston. The whole book oozes quality from the moment you pick it up * Books For Keeps * Eerie and beautiful, moving and magical - I loved it -- Hana Tooke Another stunning book by [Liz Hyder]. Drawing deeply on folklore and ritual and with mystery, time travel, history a missing sister, exquisite descriptions of nature and wildlife, and set in (my most beloved) Pembrokeshire. Also highlighting the undeniable climate emergency but leaving room for hope. Beautiful illustrations throughout by Tom de Freston gave me the feeling of reading something ancient, deliciously dark, and magical, recently unearthed. Happy sighs here. Wonderful stuff! All the Story (Musgrave) stars for this one. -- Eloise Williams This is another can't put down story from Liz Hyder. I was hooked at once. Liz you are a natural born story teller, shades of Alan Garner here! -- Nicola Davies The Twelve reads like a modern classic, with echoes of Alan Garner, Marcus Sedgwick, and C.S. Lewis. A remarkably compelling story which will appeal on many levels- filled with mysteries, wonders, and wisdom -- Essie Fox A fantastic, dazzling adventure, equally fluent in folklore and science, The Twelve has a magical, irresistible gravity that sets the mind happily marvelling. This energetic story whirls the reader on a journey through time and space and imagination towards wholeness and positive transformation. One of the best YA novels I've read this or any other century. Twelve out of ten! -- Kevin MacNeil Liz Hyder spins a vivid tale full of ancient magic and folklore. You will find yourself drawn into Kit's daring adventure where there are challenges to be overcome, evil to be fought, and hearts to be broken. With time going haywire and our very existence under threat, the stakes couldn't be higher. In the end, this is an uplifting story with a message of hope: our world can be saved when we choose to be a bit braver. -- Jamie West Love the deep earth magic of the Pembrokeshire landscape woven through this beautifully written tale of family and friendship -- Gill Lewis It's wonderful..a new classic -- Catherine Johnson, author of Sawbones Absorbing, propulsive, poignant, full of dreamy deep magic. Perfect for fans of The Dark is Rising or The Whispering Knights. -- Zoe Marriott, author of The Swan Kingdom Marvellously wild and brilliant... A story about kindness and care, for each other and the planet, all wrapped up in a gripping, can't-put-it-down story. Glorious! I loved it!' -- Joanne Burn, author of The Bone Hunters Liz Hyder spins a vivid tale full of ancient magic and folklore -- Jamie West, author of Death on the Pier The Twelve is an extraordinary teen novel filled with beautiful writing, incredible relationships, old world mysticism, timeslips and the storytelling of a master. Brought to life by Tom de Freston's atmospheric artwork, this is an autumnal must-read. Hyder's sense of place and ability to play on the mind is unmatched, and I will forever be haunted by this gorgeous book! * Mr B's Emporium * The Twelve is that wonderful combination of a story you don't want to put down, but will also never want to come to an end! -- Sita Brahmachari Prepare to be spellbound by this brilliant story of loss, resilience, and the enduring quest for truth in a universe where anything is possible. This is one of the best books showing ways to enlighten the plight of nature and friendship that will shape many readers to come. * Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books * The Twelve is captivating [with] sublime art by Tom de Freston. -- Abi Elphinstone, author of 'Ember Spark' The Twelve feels like a work of classic children's literature, while simultaneously being hugely modern and fresh. -- Katie Lumsden, author of 'The Secrets of Hartwood Hall' 'Captivating' -- Abi Elphinstone, author of 'Sky Song'