Third novel by the author of The One Place Safe (2014) and The Secret Life of Daisy Fitzjohn (2016), published by Orion.
Timely publication: The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar; The Broken Surface: a reimagining of The Little Mermaid by Louise O'Neill.
CBMC code: D3N79. For ages: 9-12.
Illustrated by award-winning designer Helen Crawford-White.
MARKET: Katherine Rundell: Eva Ibbotson.
'The story is teasing and suspenseful, and written with vivacity and elegance, and the danger is resolved in a way that is uplifting. This is a beautiful edition, with a zinging jacket by Helen Crawford-White' Nicolette Jones, Sunday Times Book of the Week
Tania Unsworth writes beautifully, and it's hard not to get caught in the current of this magical tale about family and identity Alex O'Connell, The Times
'A rollicking adventure with some tense nailbiting moments and giddy splashes of magical realism' BookTrust
'Lyrical writing with a hint of dark magic in a tale of grief, loss and finding yourself' Fiona Noble, The Bookseller
[Tania Unsworth is] a master at combining reality with tinges of dark fantasy... A hugely compulsive novel, with superb characterisation' Minerva Reads
A magical early-teen fantasy... Whimsical and dark in equal measure' Cork Evening Echo
A brilliant story... As you dive below the sea, it gives you a whole new perspective on the world. It's a book full of wonder and mystery that leads the reader down a path full of dark magic and a heartfelt story' Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books
'Written in flowing prose, this might not be a traditional mermaid tale, set under the sea, but it is a well-crafted, lyrical story of family, relationships and self-discovery with a touch of fantasy' The School Librarian
'An exquisite book about finding the truth; beautifully touching on the start of dementia and how 'being away with the fairies' is a wonderful thing' Angels and Urchins
A very enjoyable adventure, where reality mixes with fantasy... Unsworth's imagination convinces from the first sentence to the last. Her prose is clear and direct and the reader's sympathies are quickly engaged... This is one to recommend to KS2 readers who are already exploring worlds that challenge the imagination' Books for Keeps
Some lovely moving moments... This is definitely one I'd recommend' The Bookbag