Geomancer: In the Shadow of the Wolf Queen

By Author / Illustrator

Kiran Millwood Hargrave

Genre

Fantasy

Age range(s)

Publisher

Orion Children's Books

ISBN

9781510107854

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

23-05-2024

Synopsis

Unlock a magic that could save the world ... or destroy it. From bestselling, award-winning author Kiran Millwood Hargrave comes an epic new fantasy: 'This tale of adventure and magic is as brave as it is exciting' Independent

When her sister vanishes after a mysterious earthquake, Ysolda sets off on a rescue mission. But these are dangerous times, and soon she is forced to strike a deadly bargain with the wolf queen herself. Join Ysolda and her loyal sea hawk as they embark on an epic quest to save her sister and unlock the earth's most powerful magic . . .

From the author of The Girl of Ink and Stars, Julia and the Shark and The Mercies, the Geomancer trilogy is a new modern classic for readers young and old.

Kiran Millwood Hargrave is winner of the Wainwright Prize, the Waterstones Book Prize, and the British Book Awards Children's Book of the Year.

*Kiran Millwood Hargrave was a top 5 bestseller in the UK Nielsen Bookscan chart, 18 February 2025

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Reviews

Jacqueline

When her sister vanishes after a mysterious earthquake, Ysolda sets off to find her, setting foot in the castle of the dreaded Wolf Queen. Can Ysolda rescue her sister by doing as the Wolf Queen commands?

In the Shadow of the Wolf Queen is a story of magic and adventure that takes Ysolda across a mythical land. The front cover of this book has a quote from Garth Nix, 'Destined to be a classic'. It most certainly is! Set in a mythical, timeless world that is also the UK, if the map inside the front cover is to be believed, this story is a breathtaking adventure.

The description is simply wonderful; I could imagine whole scenes in my head with ease and as always, Kiran Millwood Hargrave write beautifully. It would be hard to pigeonhole this into a genre, because whilst it is fantasy, the magic is of a natural kind and the concept of treating the natural world with respect is ever-present.

The Wolf Queen herself is not an out and out villain, but far more nuanced and complicated. She might be terrifying in many ways, but she is also a complex character and all the better for being so. There is something very satisfying about a villain you cannot quite get a handle on and who is so unpredictable. I loved the main character Ysolda, you feel as if you are travelling with her every step of the way.

When the book ended, I was literally shocked because I had become so involved, I did not realise I was near the end. It goes without saying that I would want to read the next book in the Geomancer series!

320 pages / Reviewed by Jacqueline Harris, teacher