Frances Hardinge

  • 4 stars across 24 books
Frances Hardinge spent her childhood in a huge old house that inspired her to write strange stories from an early age. She read English at Oxford University, then got a job at a software company. However, by this time a persistent friend had finally managed to bully Frances into sending a few chapters of  Fly By Night  , her first children's novel, to a publisher. Macmillan made her an immediate offer. The book went on to publish to huge critical acclaim and win the Branford Boase First Novel Award. The sequel,  Twilight Robbery  , was shortlisted for the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize. She has also written many other highly acclaimed novels including  Verdigris Deep, Cuckoo Song   and the Costa Award winning   The Lie Tree  .

Additional Resources

22nd March 2018

The Lie Tree

Winner of the Costa Book of the Year'I can't think of anyone who would not love this story' – Matt Haig, author of The M... MoreThe Lie Tree

(15 reviews) Review
21st September 2017

A Skinful of Shadows

Shortlisted for Waterstones Book of the Year 2017. 'A Skinful of Shadows confirms Hardinge's status as on... MoreA Skinful of Shadows

(7 reviews) Review
5th May 2016

Mystery & Mayhem

Enthralling children's fiction for everyone who loves Robin Steven's Murder Most Unladylike Mysteries and Frances Hardin... MoreMystery & Mayhem

(5 reviews) Review
31st October 2019

Deeplight

'One of our finest storytellers' Sarah Perry, author of The Essex Serpent'Pure magic' M.R. Carey, author of The Girl Wit... MoreDeeplight

(5 reviews) Review
1st September 2022

Unraveller

For fans of Leigh Bardugo and Neil Gaiman comes Frances Hardinge’s spectacular gothic novel Unraveller.Welcome to your n... MoreUnraveller

(4 reviews) Review
19th September 2024

The Forest of a Thousand Eyes

Costa Award-winning Frances Hardinge's gripping story of a young girl's daring mission through a natural world intent on... MoreThe Forest of a Thousand Eyes

(3 reviews) Review
1st March 2011

Twilight Robbery

'Everyone should read Frances Hardinge. Everyone. Right now.' Patrick Ness The thrilling sequel to Frances Hardinge... MoreTwilight Robbery

(2 reviews) Review
7th October 2005

Fly By Night

In a fractured realm, struggling to maintain an uneasy peace after years of civil war and religious tyranny, a twelve-ye... MoreFly By Night

(2 reviews) Review
19th September 2024

Island of Whispers

"A grown-up gothic fairy tale" — one of The Guardian's Five Best YA Books 2023The award-winning, bestselling Frances Har... MoreIsland of Whispers

(2 reviews) Review
28th February 2013

Face Like Glass

"the most enjoyable children's book of the year so far" Sunday Times "This unusual and highly imaginative fantasy from F... MoreFace Like Glass

(1 review) Review
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Recent Reviews

  • The Lie Tree

    The Lie Tree

    4.5* rounded up to 5.

    I feel the blurb lets this book down a little as the story is described as a girl investigating her father's suspicious death...

  • Deeplight

    Deeplight

    A fantastically imaginative story. One of those which makes me wonder how on earth the author came up with it.

    The writing brings the story vividly...

  • Island of Whispers

    Island of Whispers

    The unusual format of this book attracted me and I loved the fact that I could read it in one sitting and yet the story still felt complex and involve...