Nominated for the 2019 CILIP Carnegie Medal

In 1592, a girl with spirit is a threat.

Ruth has secrets. An old book of heresy belonging to her long-absent father. A dream that haunts her. And a love that she and Silas hide from the world.

When she is robbed of all she holds true, her friends from Crowbury slide into terrible danger. Hope is as faint as a moonbow. Dare Ruth trust the shadowy one who could destroy them all?

This is a story about hope overcoming evil, written with satisfying moral complexity. Ruth's devastation breaks apart time. She sees that her hopes and dreams are a visceral halo of rainbow colours spinning to white... and that evil dream thieves are severing these halos from sleeping victims, many of whom she knows. Those disturbing dreams of black snow lead Ruth to a perilous discovery: one dream thief is connected to her grandfather and the candle-maker's boy, Jude, from long ago. It's a fight to the death. To save Ruth, Jude makes the ultimate sacrifice.

About the Author

Liz MacWhirter is an international award-winning advertising copywriter and an accomplished presenter. Black Snow Falling is her debut novel for young adults, and was nominated for the Carnegie Medal in 2019. Its sequel is in the making. She lives in Edinburgh with her family.

Reviews

"The world-building in this book is exquisite, from the finely textured tapestries to the deadening blackness of the ship of shadows. It's a tale which will haunt readers' dreams long after the final page."-The Scotsman

"For a novel of such breathtaking imagination, Black Snow Falling also has a deep sense of history and its characters are satisfyingly complex. It's rare to find all three at once, let alone fused together so effectively, and in all my time as The Scotsman's books editor (15 years and another 10 as deputy) I don't think I ever have. I recommend it highly." - David Robinson

"Shortlisted debut is a gripping read for all ages...There is action, betrayal, love and a powerful spiritual element running throughout the book that reminded me of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe... a powerful tale with real moral complexity, and standing strong at the centre is the message of hope - and it is that message that makes it a book that all ages, not just young adults, will enjoy. MacWhirter has got off to a cracking start - I could not put the book down."-The Oban Times

"A wildly original Elizabethan fantasy, steeped in atmosphere and dark beauty. Deliciously creepy."-Elizabeth Wein, award-winning author of Code Name Verity

"Black Snow Falling is beautifully written and is an enchanting work of magical realism. Exploring themes of loss, hope and resilience, this book would be an excellent choice for groups looking to explore these issues."-Scottish Book Trust

"This very imaginative debut elegantly combines a rich historical setting and some interesting elements of magic, with a good dose of feminism and relatable characters."- 2015 CILIP Carnegie Awards

Awards
Nominated for CILIP Carnegie Medal 2019 and Historical Association's Young Quills Award.



Book Information
ISBN 9781910895313
Author LJ MacWhirter
Format Paperback
Page Count 248
Imprint Scotland Street Press
Publisher Scotland Street Press
Weight(grams) 238g
Dimensions(mm) 197mm * 130mm * 20mm