‘The Lost Stone of SkyCity’

My freezing middle-grade fantasy adventure has been short-listed for an Aurealis Award!

Sunaya’s peaceful village life is turned upside down when a simple mountain mission turns into a death-defying quest for survival.

Winter treks to summer pastures, mythical Ice-People that are scarily real, avalanches, ice falls, power plays, mysterious magic and surprising  friendships – it seems not everything in life is set in stone …

‘With its smart and likeable protagonist and rich world-building, The Lost Stone of Sky City is perfect for fantasy lovers looking for a sophisticated bridge between middle-grade and YA. It is HM Waugh’s first novel, and I eagerly await her next.’ Junior Books + Publishing

‘I totally adored this story … I highly recommend this book and I hope you can convince a middle primary reader to explore the amazing lands, palace and tests of the Ice People.’ Momo time to celebrate reading

‘An ice filled fantasy adventure, The Lost Stone of SkyCity is packed with power plays, magical twists and a death-defying quest for survival … A wonderful fantasy perfect to be read aloud to a middle-grade class or savoured alone with a nice hot cup of tea.’ Magpies

 

For sample chapters and more deets head to the Freo Press website.

And if you’ve read my book, I’d absolutely love you to leave a review on Goodreads.

So … why is it set among mountains?

Because I love them! Here’s me at the Jungfrau in Switzerland, exhibiting my usual look-at-all-this-snowy-mountain-awesomeness pose.

With ‘The Lost Stone of SkyCity’ I was inspired to mess with the Chosen One trope. I created characters who feel that expectation to become something or succeed at something. Some of them want that thing so badly, and others plain don’t. I wanted my readers to see they have a choice – no matter what – and sometimes not becoming the person they think they should be isn’t all that bad.

I also wanted a positive female / male friendship, a lot of humour and fun, and a super-strong female lead. Sunaya fights, not with weapons or fists, but with some of those qualities that make kids balanced and happy – compassion, empathy, the understanding that there is something you’re good at, the knowledge that you’re part of a community, and the resilience to get back up when life knocks you down.

I’m super excited for you all to read it!