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

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'Fierce and touching' - Jennifer Saint, bestselling author of Ariadne'Your next obsession. . . Unique and captivating' - Cosmopolitan

It can take something extraordinary to show us who we 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.

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

Reviews

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

'Liz Hyder won the Waterstones Children's Book Prize for the brilliantly original Bearmouth, and The Gifts is just as impressive - an imaginative, extraordinary flight of fancy firmly grounded in the grim realities of Victorian England. Brimming with historical detail and beautifully written, the soulful prose soars. It's an insightful, mysterious read celebrating female friendship and solidarity.' - Daily Express

'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

'A stirring tale of female empowerment, full of vivid imagery and evocative settings. The Gifts' scope is impressive and it's sure to win Hyder new fans and, quite possibly, another film deal.' - Observer

Author Bio

Liz Hyder has been making up stories for as long she can remember. She has a BA in drama from the University of Bristol= and, in early 2018, won the Bridge Award/ Moniack Mhor Emerging Writer Award.Bearmouth, her debut young adult novel, won a Waterstones Children's Book Prize, the Branford Boase Award and was chosen as the Children's Book of the Year by The Times. Originally from London, she now lives in South Shropshire. The Gifts is her debut adult novel.