Thirst

By Author / Illustrator

Darren Simpson

Genre

Horror

Age range(s)

14+

Publisher

Pushkin Children's Books

ISBN

9781782695721

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

11-09-2025

Synopsis

Nobody talks about the strange happenings in Maimsbury. No one speaks of the hooded figures glimpsed in the woods, nor the children's game that went so horribly wrong. But most of all, nobody dares whisper their doubts about the river they have worshipped for centuries.

Like everyone in Maimsbury, Gorse is used to the sacrifices made every spring to the River Yeelde. The life of a farm animal - in return for a year of plenty - seems a fair trade. That is, until a tragedy leads Gorse to a blood-curdling discovery.

Because this year is a Brim Year, and after giving so much, the river needs more than an animal's life to sate its thirst...

Praise for Thirst: 'Gripping, gruesome, dark and dripping' A.F. Harold. 'A gripping tale infused with dark secrets and superstitions' Phil Hickes, author of The Haunting of Aveline Jones. 'What a story! Properly creepy Wicker Man vibes with seemingly effortless world building and characters you'll take to your heart. Loved it' Jennifer Killick, author of Crater Laker. 'This gruesomely imagined folk horror is the most brilliantly dark and dangerously fun book I've read all year' Keith Gray, author of Creepers.

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Reviews

Clare

Maimsbury is ruled by its revered and mercurial river Yeelde; a living entity that must be fed an animal sacrifice every year in return for health, prosperity and plenty. But there is a dark side to Maimsbury and villagers only talk in whispers about mysterious figures glimpsed in the woods and the macabre activities of a Brim year.

Teenagers Gorse and Tansy have grown up in the village, raised on stories of the mighty Yeelde and the power of nature to give and take, but the disappearance of their friend Burdock in childhood has cast a long shadow. As their friendship begins to turn to something more, a horrifying encounter in the woods leads to Gorse uncovering long-buried secrets and he begins to question everything he has been told. Is the dreaded bogeyman Dandyclogs real? And what do the respected village elders know about what really goes on at the Yeelde?

Thirst is a splendidly gruesome and gripping folk horror set in a village bound by dark secrets and centuries old traditions. It takes Gorse and outsider Faye (a folkloric Katniss Everdeen!) to challenge the status quo and they are both brave, authentic characters, continually challenging their elders and putting themselves at the mercy of the river and the strange half-dead creatures that live in it.

Short chapters keep the reader turning the pages and there's a large cast of characters whose names all have links to the natural world, reinforcing the strong theme nature and its primeval power.

Thirst is wonderfully atmospheric and will appeal to anyone who enjoys the supernatural/horror and 'chase' stories. Perfect autumnal reading!

288 pages / Reviewed by Clare Wilkins, school librarian