The author of the Costa Book Prize-winning The Lie Tree returns with more perfectly pitched gothic fiction. Channeling the seventeenth-century preoccupation with the darkly supernatural, Hardinge’s meticulously structured novel deals in ghostly possession and the brutality of the English Civil War, resulting in a richly rewarding read.
Shortlisted for Waterstones Book of the Year 2017
Shortlisted for the CILIP Carnegie Medal 2019
'A Skinful of Shadows confirms Hardinge's status as one of our finest storytellers. It's rare to find a book which is every bit as intelligent and stylish as it is riveting - I was enthralled' - Sarah Perry, author of The Essex Serpent
Frances Hardinge weaves a dark, otherworldly tale in A Skinful of Shadows, her first book since the Costa Award-winning The Lie Tree.
When a creature dies, its spirit can go looking for somewhere to hide.
Some people have space inside them, perfect for hiding.
Makepeace, a courageous girl with a mysterious past, defends herself nightly from the ghosts which try to possess her. Then a dreadful event causes her to drop her guard for a moment.
And now there's a ghost inside her.
The spirit is wild, brutish and strong, but it may be her only defence in a time of dark suspicion and fear. As the English Civil War erupts, Makepeace must decide which is worse: possession - or death.
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
ISBN: 9781509835508
Number of pages: 448
Weight: 311 g
Dimensions: 198 x 130 x 29 mm
Everyone should read Frances Hardinge. Everyone. Right now. - Patrick Ness
'A Skinful of Shadows confirms Hardinge's status as one of our finest storytellers. The striking originality of its magical element is matched by a thrilling depiction of a 17th century England riven with political and religious unease. At the centre of the novel, young Makepeace is a vital and engaging presence amid a cast of extraordinary and villainous characters, and she had my heart from the first. It's rare to find a book which is every bit as intelligent and stylish as it is riveting - I was enthralled' - Sarah Perry, author of The Essex Serpent
Hardinge is a talent who deserves to be read by children and adults alike. - Guardian
Hardinge's hypnotic prose and resourceful heroine will appeal to young adults and adult readers alike. - The Mail on Sunday
Hardinge’s tale of ghosts, puritans and shaping your own destiny is an unmissable, hypnotic treat. - Observer Children’s Book of the Week
Creepy, clever and mind-blowing. - Emerald Street
Chillingly atmospheric, historically fascinating, it’s also blackly comic in parts and beautifully written. - Daily Mail
Frances Hardinge’s latest novel, A Skinful of Shadows has a plot every bit as strange as her last, Costa-winning The Lie Tree. The thrilling story follows a 12-year-old girl who has imbibed the spirit of a bear, and is in danger from demonically possessed aristocrats. - Daily Telegraph (Books of the Year)
Electrifyingly good, A Skinful of Shadows dances between reason, compassion and the supernatural with exceptional artistry. Even in a remarkable year for children's books, it strikes gold. - New Statesman
The orphaned Makepeace can see ghosts and store them within herself, in a form of loneliness that is close to madness. As the Civil War breaks out, her Puritan upbringing is at odds with her defiant spirit. This adventure fizzes with rare imagination and style. For 12 yrs+ - The Daily Telegraph
Simply judging a book by it's cover I was intrigued...this story is hard to describe without giving too much away. The main character, Makepeace has a unique gift, that few have. She can be possessed by ghosts.... More
The title of this novel alone illustrations Frances Hardinge's reputation as a master wordsmith. And the story inside only helps to prove it!
The tale of Makepeace and her fight against powerful families and...
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I'd not read any of Frances Hardinge's books before I received this one (as a proof copy in exchange for review) , but I have added her previous books to my 'to-read' pile after reading this.
She...
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