Publication Date: 1 January 2026

The Blurb

Beware the firebird who grants wishes…they come at a terrible price.

Lavender Wild is a magpie girl – she grows feathers, talks to birds and has a talent for finding lost things. But stuck in her tiny village, she wishes for freedom.

So when her ex-friend Kit realizes his dad has gone missing on the deadly firebird’s mountain, Lavender seizes the chance to set out with him on a rescue mission.

Faced with earthquakes, daemons and witches, Lavender and Kit must rebuild their friendship to survive. Because the firebird is rising, and only they can save everyone from its flames.

Discover a stunning new voice filled with magic and wonder, for fans of Katherine Rundell and Kiran Millwood Hargrave.

The Review

If you are looking for a story that sweeps you off your feet and drops you directly into a world of danger, then look no further.

From the very first page, the atmosphere of this world is palpable. We start in a tiny, stifling village that feels lived-in and dusty, but the moment Lavender and Kit head toward the firebird’s mountain, the scale of the world explodes. The author has crafted a landscape that feels truly alive—and quite often, like it’s trying to kill our protagonists! Between the ground-shaking earthquakes and the creeping threat of daemons and witches, the setting isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a character in its own right.

At the heart of this soaring adventure are Lavender and Kit, and their dynamic is easily the highlight of the book as they rebuild their trust in one another while the world literally breaks apart around them.

Lavender Wild is such a unique protagonist. As a magpie girl, her connection to birds and her knack for finding lost things make her feel ethereal, yet her desire for freedom makes her incredibly grounded. She isn’t just a girl with feathers; she’s a girl with a fierce, burning curiosity.

Kit, meanwhile, is fueled by a desperate, quiet loyalty. His vulnerability regarding his missing father and his pregnant mother adds a beautiful emotional weight to the journey. Watching them navigate their fractured past while facing external terrors is a masterclass in character development.

A stunningly told tale of friendship being the strongest magic of all.

Great for fans of:

• The Girl Who Speaks Bear by Sophie Anderson
• The Way Past Winter by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
• A Pinch of Magic by Michelle Harrison

Huge thanks to Usborne for sending me a finished copy.