The launch of an outstanding debut fantasy series.

'A fresh, wild, gripping adventure.' Kieran Larwood, author of The Legend of Podkin One-Ear
'A thrilling, highly imaginative and action-packed fantasy.' Louie Stowell, author of Otherland and Loki
'Thrilling . . . a wonderful adventure.' L. D. Lapinski, author of The Strangeworlds Travel Agency
'I absolutely loved it.' Tola Okogwu, author of Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun
'Pulse-pounding action.' A. F. Steadman, author of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief

Beware of the shadows, the Reaper King is coming . . .

Mia always dreamed of being an umbra tamer until she met the wild creature on the Nightmare Plains. Since that day, she prefers to stay safe within the walls of Nubis. Safe, that is, until a surprise attack. With her parents captured, Mia's only hope is to travel to the City of Light to find help. But with only her little brother, two friends and one solitary tamed umbra, the journey feels impossible. Mia not only has to overcome her fears, she also has to learn to harness her umbra taming abilities if they are to complete the quest in time.

For fans of Amari and the Night Brothers, The Legend of Podkin One-Ear and Nevermoor, this is the first in the sensational Umbra Tales series, illustrated by Ana Latese.

The launch of an outstanding debut fantasy series.

About the Author

Janelle is an author and fully-fledged gamer. Having started writing and querying at only sixteen years-old, she joined JULA in her early twenties. After graduating from Royal Holloway University with a Criminology and Sociology degree, Janelle moved back home to London, and began writing middle grade fantasy. In her free time, you can find her holed up in her room, gaming and watching anime (some of her favourites being Inuyasha, Dragon Ball Z and Death Note), or attending numerous comic cons and gaming events. Her FAB Prize winning story was acquired by Faber in a major auction.

Ana Latese is an illustrator based in North Carolina. Her passion is to produce beautiful imagery inspired by vibrant colours, the idea of diversity, fashion, beauty and nature. She has illustrated Boys Don't Cry by Malorie Blackman, as well as working with editorial clients including The Washington Post. When she's not illustrating, she enjoys playing video games, bundling up with her dogs and watching Criminal Minds 24/7.

Reviews

'This book has everything I love: cinematic world-building, a page-turning adventure, pulse-pounding action scenes and characters so vivid I miss them already.' A. F. Steadman, author of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief
'Thrilling . . . a wonderful adventure.' L. D. Lapinski, author of The Strangeworlds Travel Agency

'A fresh, wild, gripping adventure.' Kieran Larwood, author of The Legend of Podkin One-Ear

'A thrilling, highly imaginative and action-packed fantasy.' Louie Stowell, author of Otherland and Loki

'I absolutely loved it.' Tola Okogwu, author of Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun


'A deliciously dark and magical world that video game fanatics will devour.' Aisha Bushby, author of A Flash of Fireflies





Book Information
ISBN 9780571368433
Author Janelle McCurdy
Format Paperback
Page Count 416
Imprint Faber & Faber
Publisher Faber & Faber
Weight(grams) 371g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 29mm