Best Selling Books by Chris Wooding

Perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman and Tim Burton, this is no ordinary fairy tale. When Poison''s baby sister is stolen by phaeries, Poison sets off on an incredible and dangerous journey to get her sister back from the Phaerie Lord. But as Poison travels to the Realm of Phaerie, she discovers that her story - and her destiny - is not in her control, and that she will need all her wits about her to survive. A fantasy where the power of story maybe the only thing that will save you, and where imagination knows no bounds.

In a world similar to Victorian London, Thaniel, a seventeen-year-old hunter of deadly, demonic creatures called the wych-kin, takes in a lost, possessed girl, and becomes embroiled in a plot to unleash evil on the world.

The second book in the acclaimed new fantasy trilogy The grip of the Weavers on Saramyr''s rulers has grown ever tighter. And all the while the blight that they have brought to the land grips ever more harshly. This cannot last and, sure enough, the land is slipping into civil war. In the growing chaos Kaiku and the orphaned heir-Empress must fight for their destiny and their survival as Saramyr succumbs to the twisting of the Weave and the unknowable ambitions of the secretive Weavers. Chris Wooding has created a vivid and turbulent world with an authentic oriental air and its own rich and ancient history. Across this world plays an action packed plot of politics, violence and betrayal. This is an extraordinary fantasy for the 21st century.

Sky piracy is a bit out of Darian Frey’s league. Fate has not been kind to the captain of the airship Ketty Jay—or his motley crew. They are all running from something. Crake is a daemonist in hiding, traveling with an armored golem and burdened by guilt. Jez is the new navigator, desperate to keep her secret from the rest of the crew. Malvery is a disgraced doctor, drinking himself to death. So when an opportunity arises to steal a chest of gems from a vulnerable airship, Frey can’t pass it up. It’s an easy take—and the payoff will finally make him a rich man. But when the attack goes horribly wrong, Frey suddenly finds himself the most wanted man in Vardia, trailed by bounty hunters, the elite Century Knights, and the dread queen of the skies, Trinica Dracken. Frey realizes that they’ve been set up to take a fall but doesn’t know the endgame. And the ultimate answer for captain and crew may lie in the legendary hidden pirate town of Retribution Falls. That’s if they can get there without getting blown out of the sky.

Perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman and Michael Grant, this darkly thrilling novel is a powerful blend of fantasy and science-fiction. Rail and Moa are two teenage thieves. Vago is a golem of metal and flesh. All three are denizens of Orokos, a city scoured by chaotic storms that rearrange streets and turn children into glass. No one can enter the city, or leave. Until one day Rail finds a mysterious artifact that may hold the key to the secrets of the city - and the chance of escape. And so begins an impossible quest. Get ready for a breathtaking adventure.

''The Ember Blade is hands down the best fantasy novel I''ve ever read'' Grimdark Magazine Empires rise, civilisations fall and one culture comes to subsume another. It''s the way of the world . . . sometimes ways of life are improved, sometimes they are not. But the progression of change is huge and - usually - unstoppable. In this story, the Ossian way of life is fading and the Dachen way is taking its place and Aren is comfortable with that. Even when his parents are accused of treason he supports the establishment and maintains there''s been some mistake . . . which is all it takes to get himself and his best friend arrested . . . Thrown into a prison mine they plan their escape - only to be overtaken by events when they''re rescued, and promptly find themselves in the middle of an ambush. By the time they''ve escaped, they''re unavoidably linked to Garric - their unwelcome saviour - and his quest to overturn to Dachen way of life. If they leave Garric now, they''ll be arrested or killed by their pursuers. If they turn him in, Garric will kill them. If they stay with him, they''ll be abetting a murderous quest they don''t believe in. There are no good options - but Aren will still have to choose a path . . . Designed to return to classic fantasy adventures and values, from a modern perspective, this is a fast-moving coming-of-age trilogy featuring a strong cast of diverse characters, brilliant set-pieces and a strong character and plot driven story. Readers can''t put down The Ember Blade: ''I am absolutely in love with this book! . . . I was on the edge of my seat a few times. I laughed and I cried . . . I loved the characters, loved the story'' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ''One of the best in the genre for a very long time . . . a masterful balancing of new and old . . . a rather grand first instalment in a trilogy that could be one of the best epic fantasy has ever seen'' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ''The island of goodness and hope for humanity in the sea of grimdark'' Ed McDonald, author of The Daughter of Redwinter ''Clever and challenging, but also funny . . . The explosive finale has more than enough bang for anyone . . . a group forged in blood and betrayal, bonded by their oaths do what needs to be done against any and all odds'' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ''One of the best fantasy books I''ve read in years. An instant classic!'' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ''Strikes a magnificently fine balance between classic epic fantasy and grimdark fantasy, making this an amazing start to a new trilogy'' Novel Notions ''What classic fantasy is all about - a slow build-up and an exciting pay-off - and I think this book as exactly that'' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ''The world is big . . . Different cultures, magics, demons, politics - a whole new world to explore! . . . I was hooked from the start to the very last line'' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ''Wooding is a master of worldbuilding . . . it''s so rich and complex and I drank all of it in . . . refreshingly written, full of thought and provoking themes'' The Fantasy Hive

The final part of the critically acclaimed Braided Path trilogy The war that is tearing apart the ancient Empire of Saramyr is reaching its apocalyptic conclusion. The Weavers have stepped from the shadows and taken control, the capital is a demon-haunted nightmare, the land ridden by pestilence. New, terrifying demons, immune to all but magic, have been unleashed on the cities and armies of the resistance movement. And the Aberrant hordes are seemingly without end. As the madness of the weavers takes hold their tactics become even more crazed and bloody, and thousands are dying on both sides. Someone must stop the weavers, someone must discover the secrets of what lies at the bottom of the massive pits they have dug across Saramyr. This is the final volume of what has proved to be one of the most original, exotic and exciting epic fantasies of the 21st century. Chris Wooding melds an extraordinary imagination with deft characterisation and a flair for gripping plots.

Getting into the sinister comic-book world of "Malice" is just the beginning. Getting out of it is much, much harder.

Who will turn silver next? When a boy is bitten by a strange silver beetle, he becomes the first victim of a terrifying virus. It turns flesh into metal and humans into machines. The whole world to sparkling, bloodthirsty silver...

A richly textured, darkly evocative fantasy set in a beautifully realised fantasy world, the Saramyr trilogy tells the story of an empire that rules over a land being overwhelmed by evil. An evil that comes from within the empire''s centre, a sect of magicians close to the throne intent on killing any child born with magical powers. But now the empress has given birth to just such a child and revolution is brewing. Akin to the works of Robin Hobb, this is a hugely involving fantasy set in a world with an enticing oriental flavour.

A big slice of non-stop, action-packed, wise-cracking fun from the Ketty Jay, and Captain Darien Frey. Things are finally looking good for Captain Frey and his crew. The Ketty Jay has been fixed up good as new. They''ve got their first taste of fortune and fame. And, just for once, nobody is trying to kill them. In fact, she''s offered them a job - one that will take them deep into the desert heart of Samarla, the land of their ancient enemies. To a place where the secrets of the past lie in wait for the unwary. Even Trinica Dracken, Frey''s ex-fiancée and long-time nemesis, has given up her quest for revenge. Secrets that might very well cost Frey everything. Join the crew of the Ketty Jay on their greatest adventure yet: a story of mayhem and mischief, roof-top chases and death-defying races, murderous daemons, psychopathic golems and a particularly cranky cat. This time, Frey''s in a race against the clock for the ultimate prize: to save his own life.

The intrepid crew of the Ketty Jay have been shot down, set up, double-crossed and ripped off. They’ve stolen priceless treasures, destroyed a 10,000-year-old Azryx city and sort-of-accidentally blown up the son of the Archduke. Now they’ve gone and started a civil war. This time, they’re really in trouble. As Vardia descends into chaos, Captain Darian Frey is doing his best to keep his crew out of it. He’s got his mind on other things, not least the fate of Trinica Dracken. But wars have a way of dragging people in, and sooner or later they’re going to have to pick a side. It’s a choice they’ll be staking their lives on. Cities fall and daemons rise. Old secrets are uncovered and new threats revealed. When the smoke clears, who will be left standing?

The astonishing new fantasy from the award-winning author of The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray A subterranean world of vast caverns, underground seas, crystalline forests. A civilisation born of darkness, in darkness, protected by shadows. A city of merchants, whose eyes have turned upward to the surface, where the lethal light of day beats down on their world. A conspiracy so vast that it will swallow them all ... A stunningly original fantasy from a multi-award winning author. With a beautiful baroque world, sharp characterisation and Chris Wooding''s trademark insight into the fantasy genre, the dawning of Halflight is an event more than worth waiting for.

The Fast and the Furious meets The Hunger Games in acclaimed author Chris Wooding''s blistering vision of the future. Buckle up for a fast-paced, high-octane thrill ride!Cassica and Shiara are best friends. They couldn''t be more different, but their differences work to their advantage -- especially when they''re drag racing. Cassica is fearless and determined, making her the perfect driver for daring, photo-finish victories. Shiara is intelligent and creative, able to build cars out of scrap and formulate daring strategies from the passenger''s seat.Now they''ve set their sights on the Widowmaker -- the biggest, most anticipated, and most dangerous race of the year. The winners get a pass to a life of luxury and fame. The losers, more often than not, die in fiery explosions. And even if Cassica and Shiara survive the deadly three-day challenge... their friendship might be roadkill.This breathless reimagining of extreme sports is perfect for fans of Mad Max: Fury Road and NASCAR.

Acclaimed author Chris Wooding''s first graphic novel -- fun fantasy-adventure with a macabre twist! Seifer''s life is about to become a royal pain.As captain of the local skullball team, Seifer Tombchewer is the envy of his peers. He''s fast, he''s strong, and he flies circles around the competition. But Seifer''s always dreamed of more--of leaving his tiny, remote village for a new life beyond the mountains.He just never dreamed it would happen like this. Knocked unconscious and abducted, Seifer awakens in the royal palace to learn that Prince Talon Pandemonium has gone missing. And since Seifer is a ringer for Talon, it''s his duty to replace the missing royal in his roles of diplomat, warrior, and Lord Defender of the Realm.He might fool Talon''s sisters. He might fool Talon''s army. But Seifer has little hope of fooling Talon''s enemies. . . .Chris Wooding and debut artist Cassandra Diaz team for a classic tale of mistaken identity set against the breathtakingly original backdrop of the Darkling Realm.

A BAND OF REBELS. A TRAITOR IN THEIR MIDST. A REVOLUTION ABOUT TO BEGIN. It''s been three years since Aren seized the Ember Blade. Three years since they struck the spark they hoped would ignite the revolution. But the flame has failed to catch. The Krodans have crushed Ossia in an iron grip of terror. The revolution seems further away than ever. Far in the north, the Dawnwardens seek to unite the fractious clans of the Fell Folk and create a stronghold from which to retake their land. But even if they can overcome the danger of treachery from within, they still have to contend with the dreadknights. Only the druidess Vika can resist these near-unstoppable foes, and there''s only one of her. But what if there was a weapon that could destroy the dreadknights? A weapon of such power it could turn the tide? A weapon that, if it fell into the wrong hands, might mean the end of all hope? The Shadow Casket has returned from out of the past, and it will save or damn them all. ''The Ember Blade is Lord of the Rings for the modern generation - an epic world full of history, depth and adventure'' Ed McDonald, author of Daughter of Redwinter

Malice is a secret, horrifying, comic book world, if you gather the right things and say the right words, you''ll be taken there. Seth and Kady think it''s a myth until their friends disappear.

Chris Wooding, author of the thrilling novel Retribution Falls, returns to a fantastical world of spectacular sky battles and high-flying heroics for another epic adventure. Deep in the heart of the Kurg rainforest lies a long-forgotten wreck. On board, behind a magically protected door, an elusive treasure awaits. Good thing Darian Frey, captain of the airship Ketty Jay, has the daemonist Crake on board. Crake is their best chance of getting that door open—if they can sober him up. For a prize this enticing, Frey is willing to brave the legendary monsters of the forbidding island and to ally himself with a partner who’s even less trustworthy than he is. But what’s behind that door is not what any of the fortune hunters expect, any more than they anticipate their fiercest competitor for the treasure—a woman from Frey’s past who also happens to be the most feared pirate in the skies.

The Hitchhiker''s Guide to the Galaxy meets Guardians of the Galaxy in this intergalactic middle-grade adventure by Chris Wooding. If he had it his way, Jack would spend his days drawing aliens and epic space battles. But it seems Jack''s daydreams of action and adventure will remain just that: daydreams.Until his 12th birthday, that is. That''s when Thomas, the annoying kid from school, stumbles upon a weird machine that sends a beam of light into the sky. Suddenly, Jack''s world is turned upside down when intergalactic beings appear on Earth and try to kill him. His only hope for survival is a ragtag team of alien bounty hunters: Boston Sark, Mazzy, Dunk, and Ilara. Through his new companions, Jack learns of the mysterious Gradius Clench, a precocious superspy and the universe''s most wanted kid. And he looks just like Jack! Now, the race is on to find this elusive Gradius Clench -- through fantastic landscapes, seedy pirate hideaways, and worlds Jack could only imagine -- and maybe, just maybe, figure out how Jack fits into all of this...

The Lazarus Serum can bring you back from the dead - but when you come back you''ve changed - you''re a Pale, an outcast. It''s the last thing Jed wants, but an accident changes everything and Jed''s forced to discover the true cost of living forever.

A novel of rage, confusion, and release from an extraordinary young author.

Trapped in an unbelievably strange world, Kia and Ryushi must struggle to understand their family''s secret past, carve out a future for themselves, and escape to their own land.

Davey''s always been a light sleeper. But since his last trip home, the dark has become a dangerous place and sleep the stuff of nightmares. How can he rest, leaving himself vulnerable to the Catchman? If he drops his guard it will all be over.

Kia and Ryushi must keep running. The evil that has already killed their father and is slowly destroying their world is never far behind ... Ryushi just wants to survive. Kia wants revenge. Together with a strange band of rebels they will harness magic, defy authority, and break into forbidden places. It''s time to start fighting back ...

Chris Wooding ist der Joe Abercrombie der Raumschiffe Frey ist stolzer Besitzer und Kapitän der Ketty Jay und seines Zeichens Luftschiffer und Kaperer - zugegeben, Luftpirat wäre angemessener. Sein nächster Auftrag: Er soll die Ace of Skulls abfangen und sie um ihre wertvolle Ladung erleichtern. Doch als das Schiff vor seinen Augen explodiert und Frey erfährt, dass der Sohn des Erzherzogs an Bord war, weiss er, dass er sich gerade um Kopf und Kragen gebracht hat. Zusammen mit seiner Crew schlittert Frey in ein unglaubliches Abenteuer.

Das Königreich Ossian wurde vor langer Zeit unterworfen. Jetzt müssen seine Bewohner unter der Herrschaft der krodanischen Eroberer leben, die Proteste und Revolten mit äußerster Gewalt unterdrücken. Der junge Aren und sein Freund Cade wachsen als Ossianer unter der Fremdherrschaft auf. Als die Krodaner Arens Vater wegen Hochverrats hinrichten, werden die beiden ins Straflager verbannt. Jetzt gibt es nur noch eins, das ihr Leben und die Zukunft ihres Landes retten kann – die Flucht und die Suche nach dem legendären Schwert der Könige von Ossian, der magischen Glutklinge. Das Abenteuer ihres Lebens beginnt ...

Ryushi and his sister Kia have spent their whole lives learning to fight - and now they''ve discovered what for... Praise for Chris Wooding''s other novels: "Shiveringly exciting" The Times "Intelligent, atmospheric and spine tingling" Guardian "Gripping" Daily Telegraph

The story of an exotic oriental world. The empire of Saramyr has relied on the secretive sect of Weavers for far too long. Now the Weavers, manipulating space and time through the Weave of existence, are plotting the overthrow of the families. Their motives twisted by the Witchstones they draw their power from. As the empire crumbles the disowned abbearant daughter of the empire and a few scattered rebels must find out the secret of the true nature of the witchstones and rescue the empire from depravity and the rule of demons. Chris Wooding has an unrivalled flair for Machiavellian plotting, explosive description and memorable young characters. This is the ideal first adult fantasy for his teenage fans.