Right from the beginning, Glassheart is a heart-stopping encounter in the foreboding quiet of the night, and a compelling mystery to be solved by both our protagonist, Nona, and the reader.

Nona and her adopted ‘Uncle Antony’ are both survivors of World War II. They’ve lost everyone else, but found family and protection in each other. When a mysterious commission and an inexplicably powerful force drive them to an isolated church in the Dartmoor moors, Nona is forced to explore a terrifying unknown and face her nemesis from the shadowy realm in order to save her world. Nona’s allies are intriguing but elusive, and their motivations are questionable.

Glassheart is about finding courage within, the transformative power of love, and the importance of family. The writing is imaginative and rich, steeped in folklore and drawing on the legends of Dartmoor, transporting the reader into another realm. This is a captivating and suspenseful story for readers with a penchant for enchantment and mystery aged 9+. Fans of Katherine Orton’s first novel, Nevertell, will not be disappointed.

Athina Clarke is the children’s book buyer at Readings Malvern.