A fresh and exciting twist on magical boarding schools, the well-loved Chosen One trope, and the nature of true heroismâfrom the author of The Language of Ghosts and Ember and the Ice Dragons. Perfect for fans of middle grade fantasies including the Serafina series by Robert Beatty and Neil Gaiman's Coraline.
Twelve-year-old Autumn Malog is a servant at the enchanting Inglenook School, where young magicians study to become the kingâs future monster-hunters. Along with her Gran and three too many older brothers, she works as a beastkeeper, tending to Inglenookâs menagerie of terrifying monsters.
But when she isnât mucking out the wyvern stalls or coaxing the resident boggart to behave, Autumn searches for clues about her twin brotherâs mysterious disappearance. Everyone else thinks he was devoured by the feared Hollow Dragon, but Autumn is convinced sheâs heardâand glimpsedâhim calling to her from within the castle walls. But who will believe a lowly servant?
So when Cai Morrigan, the âChosen Oneâ prophesied to one day destroy the Hollow Dragon, comes to her for help, Autumn agrees on one condition: Together, theyâll search for her brother and uncover the dark truth at the heart of enchanting Inglenook School once and for all.