Description
An ancient evil is on the rise. Children are disappearing. Only two boys, from different worlds, can stop it.
On Earth, The Wisdom family has always striven to be more normal than normal. But Simon Wisdom, the youngest child, is far from ordinary: he can see the souls of the dead. And now the ghosts of children are begging him to help them. Something is coming, something far, far worse than death . . .
In a far-away land of magic and legends, Matyas is determined to drag himself up from the gutter, become a wizard and learn to fly. But he, too, can hear the children crying.
Two vastly different worlds. One ancient evil. The child eater is coming . . .
'An intricately imagined Tarot-themed fantasy' - Guardian
About the Author
Rachel Pollack is a poet and writer, author of more than 40 works of fiction and non-fiction, translated into 14 languages, including Unquenchable Fire, winner of the Arthur C. Clarke Award, Godmother Night, winner of the World Fantasy Award, and The Child Eater, a Guardian Book of the Year, published by Jo Fletcher Books, which draws on her extensive knowledge of the Tarot - she is one of the world's foremost authorities. 78 Degrees of Wisdom, 'the Bible of tarot card readers', is considered a classic. She wrote the text for the Tarot decks of Salvador Dali and Hermann Haindl and worked with Dave McKean and Neil Gaiman on the Vertigo Tarot Deck. During her time working on the DC comic book series Doom Patrol she introduced the transsexual character Coagula and the bandage people dealt with such rarely addressed comic-book topics as menstruation, sexual identity and transsexuality. The Body of the Goddess: Sacred Wisdom in Myths, Landscape and Culture draws on the works of scholars, scientists and artists, bringing together history, archaeology, mythology and the author's own experiences. She has lived and taught in Europe, China, Australia and New Zealand. She now lives in the Hudson Valley of New York.
Reviews
An intricately imagined Tarot-themed fantasy * Guardian *
The Child Eater is written in broad, bold strokes . . . It's a dark, disturbing book; it's also full of light and wonder * NPR *
A beautiful, fantastically constructed novel with some truly excellent character work . . . Pollack's first novel in over a decade really is worth picking up * Intellectus Speculativus *
A bold new step for Pollack . . . a multi-layered tale of growing up and self-discovery that also happens to have a horrific supernatural terror as its central focus * Starburst *
One of this year's Do Not Miss books. Five stars, and it earns every one of them * Over the Effing Rainbow *
A deliciously creepy, decadent read. 5/5 * Speculating on SpecFic *
Rachel Pollack, has created a thrilling world of magic, memory and desire that will enchant readers far and wide * The Book Reporter *
Some genuinely horrific imagery made all the more macabre by moments of real sweetness; elements reminded me of Stephen King's classic fantasy, The Eyes of the Dragon. [This] book represents the rousing return of a significant figure to the speculative fiction fold, and I for one wish her a very warm welcome * Tor.com *
An entertaining read with the odd gory moment and some really imaginative and charming magical beings * Horror Hothouse *
Mixes mediaeval high fantasy, contemporary supernatural horror and the mystic practice of the tarot into a winning, deceptively simple whole. But this isn't yet another Harry Potter retread. Pollack's setting has more in common with Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea: mythic, resonant, and with a vast metaphysical backdrop. Her transitions from the fairytale-like atmosphere of Matyas' legendary tale to the heartbroken, plainspoken melancholy of Simon's storyline are seamless, closely recalling Neil Gaiman's ability to do the same * Jason Heller, author of Taft 2012 *
The Child Eater is one of those books that are hard to put down * Open Book Society *
A fascinating novel . . . demonstrates the skilfulness of the plotting and the cleverness of the story-telling. Highly recommended * British Fantasy Society *
An easy book to read . . . I was drawn back to it consistently . . . I would recommend this book * It Puts The Blog In The Basket *
Fantasy, and paranormal. Two worlds, different POVS, it all makes it into an interesting mix * Books for Life *
Book Information
ISBN 9781848663244
Author Rachel Pollack
Format Paperback
Page Count 384
Imprint Jo Fletcher Books
Publisher Quercus Publishing
Weight(grams) 260g
Dimensions(mm) 201mm * 135mm * 24mm
