Darkhenge [Paperback]

Darkhenge, the unearthly novel from Catherine Fisher is one full of history, mystery, myth and magic. Drawing on the author’s passion for archaeology, and set against a landscape steeped in legend near her Wye Valley home, she creates an atmospheric narrative that is every bit as spooky as it is dramatic.

Rob’s sister Chloe lies in a coma in hospital after a riding accident and he is an uncomfortable weekly visitor to her bedside. In an effort to distract himself from the trauma in his personal life, Rob uses his skill at art to get a job on a secretive local dig. His new employer, Dr Kavanagh, is desperate to preserve the operation’s anonymity and warns Rob not to reveal what they are up to. If news leaked that they had found the remains of a prehistoric wooden circle, the media blitz would be catastrophic.

Rob, however, quickly has other things on his mind. Nearby he inadvertently meets what he thinks is a harmless bunch of hippies and he witnesses the resurrection of an apparently shape-shifting Druid called Vetch. The man claims to be centuries old and born at a time when the wooden circle, Darkhenge, was first built. He also claims knowledge of his sister’s accident and he promises Rob the key to another Unworld where Chloe he says is imprisoned--if he helps him breach the dig’s security cordon. Compliance leads Rob into a world where imagination and magic are limitless.

Fisher has been writing likeable and intriguing novels for young teen readers like this for several years, and as an author she deserves wider acclaim and attention. Her recent Ancient Egyptian-flavoured books, for instance, a sequence which began with The Oracle, are of particular merit. Readers who have yet to discover this author will be pleasantly surprised. (Age 10 and over) --John McLay --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

"* 'Catherine Fisher is a writer of rare talent' - Sunday Times * 'Darkhenge is the finest young adult novel I have read for quite a while: thrilling and subtle, intensely lyrical and psychologically profound. It keeps on growing in your mind after you've read it.' - Writeaway! * 'The plot holds strange twists that complicate the story but also make it fascinating, entwining with the power of imagination to enthral the reader...gripping from the first chapter, I found I couldn't put down this brilliant fantasy novel.' - South Wales Argus * 'Very well told...another 'kidult' fantasy that's better than much of the grown-up stuff.' - SFX * 'A fantastic story.' - Teen Titles"

How far would you go to escape your brother's shadow?

A literary fantasy about jealousy, rivalry and power

Rob's sister Chloe lies in a coma after a riding accident, trapped in a forest of dreams between life and death. But when a dark druid shape-shifts his way into Rob's life, despair turns to hope. Because the druid knows the way through the Unworld, where he claims Chloe is imprisoned. Could the ominous black ring of timbers slowly emerging from a secret archaeological dig hold the key to rescuing her? And will Chloe want to be rescued from a world where the landscapes of story merge and blur, and she has the chance to be Queen? Catherine Fisher's new novel combines a fascinating exploration of Celtic myth with a modern quest for understanding. Where is the land of the imagination? And if we found our way would we ever want to come back?

'Chloe?' he whispered. The girl looked back. Her face was shadowed by great trees, their branches so low she had to duck under them. The sun shafted through forest. He was sure. A narrow face, a smile like hers, not seen for three months. An impudent, spiteful smile. And a voice. It said, 'Hi, Robbie.' Rob's sister Chloe lies in a coma after a riding accident, trapped in a forest of dreams between life and death. But when a dark druid shape-shifts his way into Rob's life, despair turns to hope. Because the druid knows the way through the Unworld, where he claims Chloe is imprisoned. Could the ominous black ring of timbers slowly emerging from a secret archaeological dig hold the key to rescuing her? And will Chloe want to be resued from a world where the landscapes of story merge and blur, and she has the chance to be Queen? CATHERINE FISHER'S new novel combines a fascination exploration of Celtic myth with a modern quest for understanding. Where is the land of the Imagination, and if we found our way there, would we ever want to come back? --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Rob's sister Chloe lies in a coma after a riding accident, trapped in a forest of dreams between life and death. But when a dark druid shape-shifts his way into Rob's life, despair turns to hope. Because the druid knows the way through the Unworld, where he claims Chloe is imprisoned. Could the ominous black ring of timbers slowly emerging from a secret archeaological dig hold the key to rescuing her? And will Chloe want to be rescued from a world where the landscapes of story merge and blur, and she has the chance to be Queen?

' Darkhenge is the finest young adult novel I have read for quite a while: thrilling and subtle, intensely lyrical and psychologically profound '

WRITEAWAY

' A brilliant writer '

INDEPENDENT

Born in Newport, Catherine Fisher has been a primary school teacher, taught Creative writing and dug up Roman pottery on archaeological digs. Now she spends most of her time writing novels and poems, drawing, fencing, and taking walks in the woodlands of the Wye valley. She lives in Wales with her two cats Jessa and Tam Lin.