The Secret of the Moonshard
A magical fantasy adventure for 9-12 year olds
Published on 29. February 2024
480 pages
978-0-241-53559-2 (ISBN)
Description
'Sensational storytelling' - AF Steadman, author of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief.
The gripping new magical adventure from Branford Boase winner Struan Murray.
Domino has lived her whole life believing that just one drop of magic could kill her.
Held in a floating laboratory by scheming Science Barons, she has never known a single day of freedom.
When Domino discovers that everything she's been told by the Barons is a lie, she escapes to Abzalaymon, a wondrous city filled with scientific marvels, hulking thunder lizards and hidden magic.
But the Barons are soon on Domino's trail. Because a war is brewing between science and magic. A war that could destroy the world. And Domino might just be the key to saving everyone . . .
'Thrilling' Guardian
The gripping new magical adventure from Branford Boase winner Struan Murray.
Domino has lived her whole life believing that just one drop of magic could kill her.
Held in a floating laboratory by scheming Science Barons, she has never known a single day of freedom.
When Domino discovers that everything she's been told by the Barons is a lie, she escapes to Abzalaymon, a wondrous city filled with scientific marvels, hulking thunder lizards and hidden magic.
But the Barons are soon on Domino's trail. Because a war is brewing between science and magic. A war that could destroy the world. And Domino might just be the key to saving everyone . . .
'Thrilling' Guardian
Reviews / Votes
The Secret of the Moonshard has everything you could wish for in a fantasy book and more. Exceptional worldbuilding, characters that feel both fresh and familiar, genius twists impeccably executed and an endlessly imaginative story that will have readers turning pages late into the night. Sensational storytelling. * AF Steadman, author of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief * Struan Murray is a world-building genius. Immersive, imaginative and thrilling, this is a perfect fantasy adventure. Outstanding. * Katya Balen, author of October, October * A kaleidoscopic, rollicking adventure full of wit and warmth and breathtaking imagination. I loved it! * Ross Montgomery, author of Spellstone * The Secret of the Moonshard is absorbing and imaginative magical fantasy at its very best. Struan's wonderful storytelling gave me the spellbinding feeling of Howl's Moving Castle mixed with Nevermoor plus a dash of Jurassic Park. Beautiful, original world-building and enticing characters entwined with a thrilling plot. I absolutely loved it! * Vashti Hardy, author of Brightstorm * A rollicking, full-hearted fantasy adventure full of marvellous invention and wild imagination. I love Domino 4eva! * Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of The Girl of Ink and Stars * A terrific tale, filled with incredible illustrations * First News * This epic adventure is a melting pot of magic and science, friendship and betrayal. * BookTrust * Original. Inventive. Clever. I absolutely loved this book! * Hannah Gold, author of The Last Bear * This compelling new 9+ fantasy from the Branford Boase-winning Murray features assured world-building, meaty ethical questions and a thrilling arena battle between "thunder lizards" * Guardian *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Penguin Random House Children's UK
Target group
Children/juvenile
Interest Age: From 9 to 12 years
File size
32,19 MB
ISBN-13
978-0-241-53559-2 (9780241535592)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Persons
Struan Murray is Scottish and grew up in Edinburgh, the youngest of a large, rowdy family of redheads. His debut novel, Orphans of the Tide, won the prestigious Branford Boase Award, and was included in the Guardian's 'Best children's books of 2020', while the first book in his latest series, Dragonborn, was a New York Times bestseller. When he's not writing, Struan is a lecturer at the University of Oxford. Vivienne To is an illustrator and visual development artist. She has worked across feature films, television, commercials and children's publishing. She created concept art for animated movies such as The Lego Movie and Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole and was the art director on The Lego Batman Movie. She has illustrated several picture books including The Sloth Who Came To Stay, written by Margaret Wild, which was short-listed for the CBCA Award for New Illustrator.
Vivienne was born in Melbourne, grew up in Sydney and lives in Wellington, New Zealand. When she isn't drawing, she can be found knitting on the couch, watching cute dogs at the local park or lost in the pages of a good book.
Vivienne was born in Melbourne, grew up in Sydney and lives in Wellington, New Zealand. When she isn't drawing, she can be found knitting on the couch, watching cute dogs at the local park or lost in the pages of a good book.
