The Gifts: The captivating historical fiction novel - for fans of THE BINDING

(Hardback)

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'Haunting, thrilling, wonderful. I loved it' - Stacey Halls
'Fierce and touching' - Jennifer Saint, author of Ariadne

In an age defined by men, it will take something extraordinary to show four women who they truly are . . .

October 1840. A young woman staggers alone through a forest in Shropshire as a huge pair of impossible wings rip themselves from her shoulders.

Meanwhile, when rumours of a 'fallen angel' cause a frenzy across London, a surgeon desperate for fame and fortune finds himself in the grips of a dangerous obsession, one that will place the women he seeks in the most terrible danger . . .

THE GIFTS is the astonishing debut adult novel from the lauded author of BEARMOUTH. A gripping and ambitious book told through five different perspectives and set against the luminous backdrop of nineteenth century London, it explores science, nature and religion, enlightenment, the role of women in society and the dark danger of ambition.

'An extraordinary novel - resonant, propulsive and utterly absorbing. Once I'd picked it up, I truly couldn't put it down - I didn't want to leave Liz Hyder's vividly realised world, and I cannot wait to follow wherever she takes us next' - Katie Lowe, author of The Furies

'I devoured The Gifts, eager to find out the fate of its wonderfully drawn characters. A wonderful, atmospheric book that immersed me in the dirty streets of nineteenth century London and swept me away to the hills of Shropshire. A real gem' - Louise Hare, author of This Lovely City

'A beautiful, riveting novel suffused with luminous magic against the grimy backdrop of 19th century London. Wild female power clashes with dark scientific ambition in this compelling story' - Jenny Saint, Sunday Times bestselling author of Ariadne

'An extraordinary weaving together of the lives of four women. For any who loved The Essex Serpent, this is one that will sing to your soul' - Jackie Morris, The Lost Words

'I was transfixed by this fantastical tale of winged women and their quest for liberation in the face of science turned into dark obsession. A deliciously intriguing mix of moral bankruptcy and resilience, with a captivating female friendship at its heart' - Sonia Velton, author of Blackberry & Wild Rose

Reviews

'Haunting, thrilling, wonderful. I loved it.' - Stacey Halls

'Fierce and touching... a beautiful, riveting novel suffused with luminous magic against the grimy backdrop of 19th century London. Wild female power clashes with dark scientific ambition in this compelling story.' - Jennifer Saint, Sunday Times bestselling author of Ariadne

'An extraordinary weaving together of the lives of four women. One is an artist who loves the names of colours, another a botanist who loves the shapes of plants. One of its fascinations is the blend of myth and magic, city and country, urban and wild. There are threads that spin a yarn and make this book a page turning success. For any who loved The Essex Serpent, this is one that will sing to your soul. For myself, I found it to be a dream of a book, one that I could lose myself in and escape from these curious times we live in. There's a darkness to it also, but also a fierce light, passion. It is utterly absorbing.' - Jackie Morris, The Lost Words

'I devoured The Gifts, eager to find out the fate of its wonderfully drawn characters. A wonderful, atmospheric book that immersed me in the dirty streets of nineteenth century London and swept me away to the hills of Shropshire. A real gem.' - Louise Hare, author of This Lovely City

'From the moment the Thames gave up its astonishing secret, I was transfixed by this fantastical tale of winged women and their quest for liberation in the face of science turned into dark obsession. A deliciously intriguing mix of moral bankruptcy and resilience, with a captivating female friendship at its heart.' - Sonia Velton, author of Blackberry and Wild Rose

Author Bio

Liz Hyder is a writer, experienced workshop leader and award-winning arts PR consultant. She has a BA in drama from the University of Bristol and, in early 2018, won the Bridge Award/Moniack Mhor's Emerging Writer Award. Bearmouth her debut young adult novel was awarded a Waterstones Children's Book Prize, the Branford Boase Award and was chosen as Children's Book of the Year in The Times. THE GIFTS is her debut adult novel.