The Wintrish Girl

TALISMANS OF FATE: BOOK ONE

‘A treasure of a book – fizzing with imaginative delights, hilarity, adventure and utterly loveable characters.’

– Jaclyn Moriarty, award-winning author of the Kingdoms and Empires series

‘An absolute page-turner. La’Brooy has created a world that draws readers in and leaves us wanting more of the magic. It is on par with the likes of the Harry Potter and Nevermoor series.’

– Children’s Book Council of Australia

‘Whimsical, magical, tough, witty, beautifully imagined, clever social commentary … and so emotionally powerful as well.’

– Shirley Marr, award-winning author of A Glasshouse of Stars

“A page-turning story that fans of Nevermoor will particularly enjoy… this first instalment of the ‘Talismans of Fate’ series will captivate readers.”

– Books+Publishing, review by Angela Crocombe, Manager, Readings Kids

‘If you want to enjoy reading, then read this. Sweet, clever and humorous … (there are) observations about fate, friendship, bullying and the impact of colonial possession.’

– School Library Association of NSW

‘A delightful new middle grade fantasy. Fast moving, with a complex world and lots of fun and humour. It’s the characters who really made it for me – I loved them.’

– Wendy Orr, award-winning author of Nim’s Island

‘I loved this so much. Intriguing, wildly adventurous, and often laugh out loud funny.’

– Lian Tanner, award-winning author of the Keepers Trilogy

‘La’Brooy’s boundless imagination is mesmerisingly believable.’

– The Australian Women’s Weekly

‘A riveting, wondrous story.’

– Joy Lawn has judged for the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards, Queensland Literary Awards, IBBY Australia Honour Books and Aurealis Awards

‘I loved this book! It’s funny! Magical! Clever! Total non-stop entertainment and joy.’

– Cristy Burne, award-winning author of the Wednesday Weeks series

‘A delightfully spellbinding tale. Melanie La’Brooy’s debut is imbued with a charm that readers will love.’

– Rebecca McRitchie, author of the Whimsy and Woe series

‘This is a fast-paced, funny, wonderful adventure fantasy story. …a hard book to put down.’

– Lamont Books

‘The Wintrish Girl represents the best of fantasy adventure writing. Move over Harry Potter! We have our own Australian fantasy writer now.’

– Readplus.com.au

‘The Wintrish Girl just snaps, crackles and pops with action, humour and invention … an addictive page-turner.’

– Mia Macrossan has judged for the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year awards, the Aurealis Awards and the Queensland Literary Awards

On Talisman Day in Arylia, every child receives an object that gives them special powers and reveals their destiny. Every child except for the Wintrish girl, Penn, that is. There’s no need for a Talisman to reveal her fate. Penn already knows that she’s doomed to a miserable, lonely life as a servant and outcast.

All Penn has ever wanted is the impossible: to return to her home in Midwinter and find her true family. But she’s trapped in Arylia, where a long-forgotten evil is stirring…

When sinister events start to occur, the blame falls on the Wintrish girl. Suddenly Penn finds herself running for her life. Straight into deadly peril. Facing dangerous enemies with terrifying powers, what can an ordinary Wintrish girl do? Because without a Talisman, there’s no changing your fate… is there?

A wildly fun adventure featuring at least five impossibly daring escapes, important life lessons about friendship and cucumbers, a dragon with a fear of unicorns and some stylish execution wear.

And one vicious berry.

Awards

Winner of the Aurealis Award for Best Children’s Fiction
Winner of the DANZ Children’s Book Award
Shortlisted for the Readings Children’s Prize
Longlisted for the CBCA Book of the Year Award