Frances Hardinge's spent her childhood in a huge, isolated old house in a small, strange village, and the two things inspired her to write strange, magical stories from an early age. She studied English at Oxford University and was bullied by a persis-tent friend into letting a publisher read the opening chapters of Fly By night, her first novel, which was short-listed for the Guardian Award. She lives in Oxford, England. Learn more at Frances Hardinge's website.
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Fly by Night — (2005-2011) Available for download at Audible.com. Publisher: A fantastic adventure story set in an alternative historical world that launches the career of a uniquely talented children's writer. In a fractured Realm, struggling to maintain an uneasy peace after years of civil war and religious tyrrany, a 12-year-old orphan and a homicidal goose become the accidental heroes of a revolution. Mosca has spent her life in a miserable hamlet, where her father was banished for writing inflammatory books about tolerance and freedom. Now he is dead, and Mosca is on the run after unintentionally setting fire to a mill. With a delightful swindler named Eponymous Clent, she heads for the city of Mandelion. A born liar, Mosca lives by her wits in a world of highwaymen and smugglers, dangerously insane rulers in ludicrous wigs, secret agents and radical plotters. She is recruited as a spy by the fanatical Mabwick Toke, leader of the Guild of Stationers, who fears losing his control over the publication of every book in the state. Mosca's activities reveal a plot to force a rule of terror on the Realm, and merry mayhem soon leads to murder... FLY BY NIGHT is set in a re-imagined early-eighteenth century England, where kite-powered coffeehouses take to the river, and citizens lay offerings at the shrine of Goodman Blackwhistle of the Favourable Wind. Funny and surprising, stuffed with wonderful characters, at its heart it contains an inspiring truth — that the power of books can change the world.
Verdigris Deep (also published as Well Witched) — (2007,2008) Publisher: From an award-winning author, another breathtakingly original modern classic in the making. Verdigris n. a blue-green rust that tarnishes ageing and forgotten copper coins, altering them entirely... When Ryan and his friends are caught stranded and penniless late one night, they steal some coins from a well for their bus fare home. Soon after, strange things begin to happen. Peculiar marks tingle on Ryans knuckles, light bulbs mysteriously explode and a terrified Chelle starts speaking words that arent her own. Then the well witch appears, with her fountains for eyes and gargled demands. From now on, the friends must serve her... and the wishes that lie rotting at the bottom of her well. In the tradition of truly fantastic storytelling, VERDIGRIS DEEP is darkly witty, utterly unexpected and shiver-down-the-spine sinister.
Gullstruck Island (The Lost Conspiracy) — (2009) This is the same story. Publisher: On GullstruckIsland the volcanoes quarrel, beetles sing danger and occasionally a Lost is born... In the village of the Hollow Beasts live two sisters. Arilou is a Lost — a child with the power to depart her body and mind-fly with the winds — and Hathin is her helper. Together they hide a dangerous secret. Until sinister events threaten to uncover it. With a blue-skinned hunter on their trail and a dreadlocked warrior beside them, they must escape. Can the fate of two children decide the future of Gullstruck Island? Discover a dazzling world, a breathtaking heroine... and an incredible adventure. For on the island of Gullstruck nothing is exactly as it seems! With a cast of larger-than-life characters, this is a richly imagined adventure no child will be able to put down — or ever forget!
Frances Hardinge's spent her childhood in a huge, isolated old house in a small, strange village, and the two things inspired her to write strange, magical stories from an early age. She studied English at Oxford University and was bullied by a persis-tent friend into letting a publisher read the opening chapters of Fly By night, her first novel, which was short-listed for the Guardian Award. She lives in Oxford, England. Learn more at Frances Hardinge's website.
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