"A rising star of fantasy fiction." The Times

"Zoe Marriott has created something truly special." Lauren James, author of The Loneliest Girl in the Universe

"Richly imagined yet sharply topical. You'll fall in love with Zhi." L. A. Weatherly, author of the Angel trilogy


Zhilan was assigned female at birth. Despite a gift for illusions, they know they are destined to live out their life within the confines of the women's quarter. But when civil war sets the empire aflame, Zhilan is determined save their disabled father from the battlefield. By taking his place. Surviving brutal army training as a boy - Zhi - is only the first challenge. In the glittering court of the Land of Dragons, love and betrayal are two sides of the same smile, and soon the fate of a nation rests on Zhi's shoulders. But to win, they must decide where their heart truly belongs...

About the Author
Zoe Marriott is a critically acclaimed and beloved fantasy writer. Her debut novel, The Swan Kingdom, was long-listed for the Branford Boase and selected as a USBBY Outstanding International Book. Shadows on the Moon won the prestigious Sasakawa Prize, an award gifted to a writer who promotes further understanding and cooperation between the peoples of Japan and the UK. It came third in the Lancashire Book of the Year Award and was also an American Junior Library Guild Selection. Zoe lives in Grimsby, Lincolnshire. Visit Zoe's blog at thezoe-trope.blogspot.co.uk or her website at ZoeMarriott.com. Follow her on Twitter (@ZMarriott).

Reviews
"Inspired by the story of Mulan, Marriott explores ideas of gender and belonging in this fast-paced novel set in a fairytale China." * The Guardian *
"Set in a richly imagined fairy-tale China, Marriot weaves topical themes of gender identity into an epic fantasy adventure." * The Bookseller *
"[...] a story that has a deserving and important place on bookshelves today." * The Clare People *
"Exceptional fantasy, utterly spell-binding." * Fallen Star Stories *
"This will make a superb addition to the school library and will hopefully help young people in their questions about their own gender." * BooksForKeeps *



Book Information
ISBN 9781406383546
Author Zoe Marriott
Format Paperback
Page Count 448
Imprint Walker Books Ltd
Publisher Walker Books Ltd
Weight(grams) 309g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 26mm