A DARK ENCHANTMENT BLIGHTS THE LAND Agnieszka loves her village, set deep in a peaceful valley. But the nearby enchanted forest casts a shadow over her home. Many have been lost to the Wood and none return unchanged. The villagers depend on an ageless wizard, the Dragon, to protect them from the forest's dark magic. However, his help comes at a terrible price. One young village woman must serve him for ten years, leaving all they value behind. Agnieszka fears her dearest friend Kasia will be picked at the next choosing, for she's everything Agnieszka is not - beautiful, graceful and brave. Yet when the Dragon comes, it's not Kasia he takes. 'So vividly believable that it almost seems you could work the spells' Ursula K. Le Guin 'New takes on old myths and legends . . . A delight' Cassandra Clare 'Wild, thrilling and deeply, darkly magical' Lev Grossman 'Like a lost tale of Grimm newly come to light . . . bewitching' Gregory Maguire

From the author of the Temeraire series comes this hugely imaginative, engrossing and vivid fantasy novel, inspired by folk and fairy tales. It is perfect reading for fans of Robin Hobb and Trudi Canavan.