Best Selling Books by Claire North

From the multi-award-winning author Claire North comes a daring reimagining that breathes life into ancient myth and gives voice to the women who stand defiant in a world ruled by ruthless men. It’s time for the women of Ithaca to tell their tale . . . "North brings a powerful, fresh, and unflinching voice to ancient myth. Breathtaking." —Jennifer Saint, author of Ariadne Seventeen years ago, King Odysseus sailed to war with Troy, taking with him every man of fighting age from the island of Ithaca. None of them has returned, and the women of Ithaca have been left behind to run the kingdom. Penelope was barely into womanhood when she wed Odysseus. While he lived, her position was secure. But now, years on, speculation is mounting that her husband is dead, and suitors are beginning to knock at her door. No one man is strong enough to claim Odysseus'' empty throne—not yet. But as everyone waits for the balance of power to tip, Penelope knows that any choice she makes could plunge Ithaca into bloody civil war. This is the story of Penelope of Ithaca, famed wife of Odysseus, as it has never been told before. Beyond Ithaca''s shores, the whims of gods dictate the wars of men. But on the isle, it is the choices of the abandoned women—and their goddesses—that will change the course of the world.

The World Fantasy Award-winning thriller about a girl no one can remember, from the acclaimed author of The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August and 84K. My name is Hope Arden, and you won''t know who I am. But we''ve met before -- a thousand times. It started when I was sixteen years old. A father forgetting to drive me to school. A mother setting the table for three, not four. A friend who looks at me and sees a stranger. No matter what I do, the words I say, the crimes I commit, you will never remember who I am. That makes my life difficult. It also makes me dangerous. The Sudden Appearance of Hope is a riveting and heartbreaking exploration of identity and existence, about a forgotten girl whose story will stay with you forever.

A powerful dystopian vision of a world where money reigns supreme, from a World Fantasy Award-winning author. "An extraordinary novel that stands with the best of dystopian fiction, with dashes of The Handmaid''s Tale." -- -Cory Doctorow The penalty for Dani Cumali''s murder: $84,000. Theo works in the Criminal Audit Office. He assesses each crime that crosses his desk and makes sure the correct debt to society is paid in full. These days, there''s no need to go to prison -- provided that you can afford to pay the penalty for the crime you''ve committed. If you''re rich enough, you can get away with murder. But Dani''s murder is different. When Theo finds her lifeless body, and a hired killer standing over her and calmly calling the police to confess, he can''t let her death become just an entry on a balance sheet. Someone is responsible. And Theo is going to find them and make them pay. Perfect for fans of 1984 and Never Let Me Go, Claire North''s moving and unnerving new novel will resonate with readers around the world.

Wildly original, funny and moving, The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August is an extraordinary story of a life lived again and again from World Fantasy Award-winning author Claire North. Harry August is on his deathbed. Again. No matter what he does or the decisions he makes, when death comes, Harry always returns to where he began, a child with all the knowledge of a life he has already lived a dozen times before. Nothing ever changes. Until now. As Harry nears the end of his eleventh life, a little girl appears at his bedside. "I nearly missed you, Doctor August," she says. "I need to send a message." This is the story of what Harry does next, and what he did before, and how he tries to save a past he cannot change and a future he cannot allow.

A novel about life and death and a quest for moral purpose, by the acclaimed author of word-of-mouth bestseller The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August. "Wholly original and hauntingly beautiful." -- Kirkus "Funny, ambitious, immensely humane and full of philosophical panache." -- Sunday Times Sooner or later, Death visits everyone. Before that, they meet Charlie: the Harbinger. Sometimes he comes as a courtesy, sometimes as a warning. Either way, this will be the most important meeting of your life. But who will come for Charlie? "A fascinating exploration of what makes us human -- and a riveting journey through life, and death." -- The Bookbag "Reaffirms the passion and ambition that have made North such a consistently intriguing writer." -- Locus

Touch is an electrifying thriller by the author of The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August and 84K. He tried to take my life. Instead, I took his. It was a long time ago. I remember it was dark, and I didn''t see my killer until it was too late. As I died, my hand touched his. That''s when the first switch took place. Suddenly, I was looking through the eyes of my killer, and I was watching myself die. Now switching is easy. I can jump from body to body, have any life, be anyone. Some people touch lives. Others take them. I do both. More by Claire North:The Gameshouse84KThe End of the DayThe Sudden Appearance of HopeTouchThe First Fifteen Lives of Harry August

From the bestselling and award-winning author of The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August and 84K, a darkly inventive novella about the dangers of pursuing perfection. Harmony is tired. Tired of working so hard, tired of the way she looks, tired of being average. But all that changes when she decides to splash out and upgrade her nanos. And why not? Everyone''s doing it now. With a simple in-app purchase, you can update the tech in your bloodstream to transform yourself - get enhanced brain power, the perfect body or a dazzling smile. Suddenly, everything starts going right for her. She''s finally becoming the person she always wanted to be. But as Harmony will find out, there''s a limit to how many upgrades a body can take . . . Previous books by Claire North:The First Fifteen Lives of Harry AugustTouchThe Sudden Appearance of HopeThe End of the Day84K By the same author, writing as Kate Griffin:A Madness of AngelsThe Midnight MayorThe Neon CourtThe Minority CouncilThe Glass GodStray Souls

This "powerful, fresh, and unflinching" reimagining from the award-winning author of the Penelope trilogy breathes life into ancient myth and gives voice to the women who stand defiant in a world ruled by ruthless men (Jennifer Saint). On the isle of Ithaca, queen Penelope maintains a delicate balance of power. Many years ago, her husband Odysseus sailed to war with Troy and never came home. In his absence, Penelope uses all her cunning to keep the peace—a peace that is shattered by the return of Orestes, King of Mycenae, and his sister Elektra. Orestes'' hands are stained with his mother''s blood. Not so long ago, the son of Agamemnon took Queen Clytemnestra''s life on Ithaca''s sands. Now, wracked with guilt, he is slowly losing his mind. But a king cannot be seen to be weak, and Elektra has brought him to Ithaca to keep him safe from the ambitious men of Mycenae. Penelope knows destruction will follow in his wake as surely as the furies circle him. His uncle Menelaus, the battle-hungry king of Sparta, longs for Orestes'' throne—and if he can seize it, no one will be safe from his violent whims. Trapped between two mad kings, Penelope fights to keep her home from being crushed by a war that stretches from Mycenae and Sparta to the summit of Mount Olympus itself. Her only allies are Elektra, desperate to protect her brother, and Helen of Troy, Menelaus'' wife. And watching over them all is the goddess Aphrodite, who has plans of her own. Each woman has a secret. And their secrets will shape the world.

A hauntingly powerful novel about how the choices we make can stay with us forever, by the award-winning author of The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August and 84K. South Africa in the 1880s. A young and naive English doctor by the name of William Abbey witnesses the lynching of a local boy by the white colonists. As the child dies, his mother curses William. William begins to understand what the curse means when the shadow of the dead boy starts following him across the world. It never stops, never rests. It can cross oceans and mountains. And if it catches him, the person he loves most in the world will die. Gripping, moving, and thought-provoking, The Pursuit of William Abbey proves once again that Claire North is one of the most innovative voices in modern fiction. Previous books by Claire North:The First Fifteen Lives of Harry AugustTouchThe Sudden Appearance of HopeThe End of the Day84KThe Gameshouse Previous books written as Kate Griffin:Matthew Swift novels:A Madness of AngelsThe Midnight MayorThe Neon CourtThe Minority Council Magicals Anonymous novels:Stray SoulsThe Glass God

The third book in award‑winning author Claire North''s Songs of Penelope Trilogy, a "powerful, fresh, and unflinching" reimagining (Jennifer Saint) that breathes life into ancient myth and gives voice to the women who stand defiant in a world ruled by ruthless men. Many years ago, Odysseus sailed to war and never returned. For twenty years his wife Penelope and the women of Ithaca have guarded the isle against suitors and rival kings. But peace cannot be kept forever, and the balance of power is about to break . . . A beggar has arrived at the Palace. Salt-crusted and ocean-battered, he is scorned by the suitors - but Penelope recognises in him something terrible: her husband, Odysseus, returned at last. Yet this Odysseus is no hero. By returning to the island in disguise, he is not merely plotting his revenge against the suitors - vengeance that will spark a civil war - but he''s testing the loyalty of his queen. Has she been faithful to him all these years? And how much blood is Odysseus willing to shed to be sure? The song of Penelope is ending, and the song of Odysseus must ring through Ithaca''s halls. But first, Penelope must use all her cunning to win a war for the fate of the island and keep her family alive, whatever the cost...

“ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I''VE READ IN RECENT YEARS. THOUGHT PROVOKING, IMAGINATIVE AND PACKS A HELL OF AN EMOTIONAL PUNCH.” —Adrian Tchaikovsky, author of Children of Time From one of the most imaginative writers of her generation comes an extraordinary vision of the future… Ven was once a holy man, a keeper of ancient archives. It was his duty to interpret archaic texts, sorting useful knowledge from the heretical ideas of the Burning Age—a time of excess and climate disaster. For in Ven''s world, such material must be closely guarded so that the ills that led to that cataclysmic era can never be repeated. But when the revolutionary Brotherhood approaches Ven, pressuring him to translate stolen writings that threaten everything he once held dear, his life will be turned upside down. Torn between friendship and faith, Ven must decide how far he''s willing to go to save this new world—and how much he is willing to lose. “A riveting tale of subterfuge and deadly self-indulgence” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) from award-winning author Claire North, Notes from the Burning Age puts dystopian fiction in a whole new light. Also by Claire North: The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August Touch The Sudden Appearance of Hope The End of the Day 84K The Gameshouse The Pursuit of William Abbey

The Gameshouse is an unusual institution. Many know it as the place where fortunes can be made and lost through games of chess, backgammon -- every game under the sun. But a select few, who are picked to compete in the higher league, know that some games are played for higher stakes -- those of politics and empires, of economics and kings . . . In 1930s Bangkok, one higher league player has just been challenged to a game of hide and seek. The board is all of Thailand -- and the seeker may use any means possible to hunt down his quarry -- be it police, government, strangers or even spies . . .

The Gameshouse is an unusual institution. Many know it as the place where fortunes can be made and lost though games of chess, backgammon -- every game under the sun. But a select few, who are picked to compete in the higher league, know that some games are played for higher stakes -- those of politics and empires, of economics and kings . . . And now, the ultimate player is about to step forward.

The World Fantasy Award-winning author of The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August presents a mesmerizing tale of a gambling house whose deadly games of chance and skill control the fate of empires. Everyone has heard of the Gameshouse. But few know all its secrets. . . It is the place where fortunes can be made and lost through chess, backgammon -- every game under the sun. But those whom fortune favors may be invited to compete in the higher league. . . a league where the games played are of politics and empires, of economics and kings. It is a league where Capture the Castle involves real castles, where hide and seek takes place on the scale of a continent. Among those worthy of competing in the higher league, three unusually talented contestants play for the highest stakes of all. . .

From the creator of Black Mirror comes the first book in an anthology series featuring original stories from leading fiction writers, all set in the world of the cult series. Edited by Charlie Brooker, the creator of the hit Netflix original series Black Mirror, this book takes the very essence of the globally acclaimed cult TV show to create new, original, darkly satirical stories that tap into our collective unease about the modern world. This is Black Mirror in book form, allowed to roam through the imaginations of some of the leading names in contemporary fiction. This collection will challenge you to see the world in a different—and more disturbing—light. You have been warned. . . .

Dark tales inspired by J. M. Barrie''s classic stories of Neverland, Captain Hook, Tinkerbell, and of course Peter Pan, from some the masters of science-fiction, horror and fantasy including A. C. Wise, Claire North, Lavie Tidhar and more. The award-winning Marie O’Regan & Paul Kane bring together the masters of fantasy, science-fiction and horror, to spin stories inspired by J. M. Barrie’s classic tale. A murder investigation leads a detective to a strange place called Neverland; pupils attend a school for Peters; a young boy loses his shadow and goes to desperate lengths to retrieve it. These eighteen stories take the original tales of Peter & Wendy, the Lost Boys and Tinkerbell, twisting and turning them. From dystopias to the gritty streets of London, these stories will keep you reading all night and straight on ‘til morning. Featuring stories from: Lavie Tidhar Claire North Premee Mohamed Kirsty Logan Edward Cox Anna Smith Spark Alison Littlewood A. C. Wise Rio Youers Gama Ray Martinez Juliet Marillier Robert Shearman A. K. Benedict Laura Mauro Cavan Scott Guy Adams Paul Finch Muriel Gray

A fascinating collection of new and classic tales of the fearsome Djinn, from bestselling, award-winning and breakthrough international writers. An enthralling collection of new and classic tales of the fearsome Djinn, from bestselling, award-winning and breakthrough international writers. Imagine a world filled with fierce, fiery beings, hiding in our shadows, in our dreams, under our skins. Eavesdropping and exploring; tormenting us, saving our souls. They are monsters, saviours, victims, childhood friends. And they are everywhere. On street corners, behind the wheel of a taxi, in the chorus, between the pages of books. Every language has a word for them. Every culture knows their traditions. Every religion, every history has them hiding in their dark places. There is no part of the world that does not know them. They are the Djinn. With stories from Neil Gaiman, Nnedi Okorafor, Amal El-Mohtar, Catherine Faris King, Claire North, E.J. Swift, Hermes (trans. Robin Moger), Jamal Mahjoub, James Smythe, J.Y. Yang, Kamila Shamsie, Kirsty Logan, K.J. Parker, Kuzhali Manickavel, Maria Dahvana Headley, Monica Byrne, Saad Hossain, Sami Shah, Sophia Al-Maria and Usman Malik.

Hace diecisiete años, el rey Ulises navegó a la guerra con Troya, llevando consigo a todos los hombres en edad de luchar de la isla de Ítaca. Ninguno de ellos ha regresado, y las mujeres de Ítaca son quienes deben dirigir el reino. Penélope era apenas una mujer adulta cuando se casó con Ulises. Mientras él estuviera vivo, estaría a salvo. Pero ahora, años después, aumentan las especulaciones de que su marido está muerto y los pretendientes empiezan a llamar a su puerta. Ningún hombre es lo suficientemente fuerte como para reclamar el trono vacío de Ulises. Penélope sabe que un paso en falso puede llevar a una sangrienta guerra civil. Solo a través de la astucia, el ingenio y su círculo de sirvientas de confianza, puede mantener la frágil paz necesaria para que el reino sobreviva. Esta es la historia de Penélope de Ítaca, la famosa esposa de Ulises, como nunca antes se había contado. Por encima de la isla, los dioses conducen las guerras de los hombres. Pero en Ítaca, son las mujeres abandonadas y sus diosas las que cambiarán el destino del mundo.

Harry August se trouve sur son lit de mort. Une fois de plus. Chaque fois qu''il décède, il naît de nouveau, au lieu et à la date exacts auxquels il est venu au monde la première fois, possédant tous les souvenirs des vies qu''il a déjà vécues. Au crépuscule de sa onzième vie, une petite fille apparaît à son chevet. « J''ai bien failli vous rater, docteur August, dit-elle. Je dois vous transmettre un message, passé d''enfant à adulte, d''enfant à adulte, remontant de génération en génération depuis un millénaire dans le futur. Le voici : la fin du monde approche, et nous ne pouvons pas l''empêcher. À vous de jouer. »

Certas histórias não podem ser contadas em uma única vida. Harry está no leito de morte. Outra vez. Não importa o que faça ou que decisões tome: toda vez que ele morre, volta para onde começou; uma criança com a memória de todo o conhecimento de uma vida vivida diversas vezes. Nada nunca muda, até agora. Ele está perto da décima primeira morte quando uma garotinha de 7 anos se aproxima da cama: "Quase perdi você, doutor August. Eu preciso enviar uma mensagem de volta no tempo. O mundo está acabando, como sempre. Mas o fim está chegando cada vez mais rápido. Então, agora é com você." Este livro conta a história do que Harry faz em seguida, do que fez antes, e do que faz para tentar salvar um passado inalterável e mudar um futuro inaceitável.

REICH MIR DEINE HAND - UND DEIN LEBEN GEHÖRT MIR ... Ihr könnt mich Kepler nennen. Der Name ist so gut wie jeder andere. Ich bin seit Jahrhunderten kein Mensch mehr, ich bin ein Geist. Ich kann durch eine Berührung - Haut an Haut - von einem Körper in den nächsten wechseln. Menschen sind für mich nur Hüllen. Gefäße, die ich mit einer Berührung in Besitz nehmen kann. Ich könnte dieser alte Mann dort sein oder die Frau mit dem Kinderwagen. Und eine Sekunde später das Kind, das ihre Hand hält. Doch jemand kennt mein Geheimnis. Jemand hat einen Killer auf mich angesetzt, und ich werde herausfinden, wer dahintersteckt. Was wäre einfacher, als dies im Körper meines Mörders zu tun?

Bangkok, 1938. Remy Burke, membre madré de la Haute Loge, qu’il pratique depuis un demi siècle, reprend conscience dans la moiteur de sa chambre d’hôtel après une nuit trop arrosée. Beaucoup trop. Il s’est fait manœuvrer et a accepté le défi du redoutable Abhik Lee. Avec en guise d’enjeu le plus précieux des biens : sa propre mémoire, misée dans une partie de cache-cache à l’échelle de la Thaïlande toute entière. Les règles sont simples : Lee dispose d’un mois pour dénicher Burke, après quoi, en cas d’échec, les rôles seront inversés. Une partie qui commence maintenant, tout de suite. Burke doit désormais courir... Éperdument.

From one of the most original and dazzling voices in speculative fiction comes an intergalactic tale of conspiracy, war and the fall of empires. My name is Mawukana na-Vdnaze, and I am a very poor copy of myself. In telling my story, there are certain things I should perhaps lie about. I should make myself a hero. Pretend I was not used by strangers and gods, did not leave people behind. Here is one truth: out there in deep-space, in the pilot''s chair, I died. And then, I was reborn. I became something not quite human, something that could speak to the infinite dark. And I vowed to become the scourge of the world that wronged me. This is the story of the supernova event that burned planets and felled civilizations. This is also the story of the many lives I''ve lived since I died for the first time. Are you listening? Discover this thrilling and breathtakingly imaginative space opera from the multi-award-winning Claire North, perfect for fans of Ann Leckie, Adrian Tchaikovsky and Arkady Martine.

Par l''auteure des Quinze premières vies de Harry August Mon nom est Hope Arden. Je suis la fille que tout le monde oublie. Tout a commencé quand j''avais seize ans. Mon père qui omet de m''emmener au lycée. Ma mère qui met la table pour trois, pas quatre. Un ami qui me regarde et voit une étrangère. Qu''importe ce que je fais, ce que je dis, les crimes que je commets... vous ne vous souviendrez jamais de moi. Ça rend ma vie compliquée mais ça fait aussi de moi quelqu''un de dangereux.

''ASTONISHING AND THOUGHT-PROVOKING'' Adrian Tchaikovsky, author of Children of Time From the million-copy bestselling Claire North - one of the most original and dazzling voices in speculative fiction - comes an intergalactic tale of conspiracy, war and the fall of empires. My name is Mawukana na-Vdnaze, and I am a very poor copy of myself. In telling my story, there are certain things I should perhaps lie about. I should make myself a hero. Pretend I was not used by strangers and gods, did not leave people behind. Here is one truth: out there in deep-space, in the pilot''s chair, I died. And then, I was reborn. I became something not quite human, something that could speak to the infinite dark. And I vowed to become the scourge of the world that wronged me. This is the story of the supernova event that burned planets and felled civilizations. This is also the story of the many lives I''ve lived since I died for the first time. Are you listening? Discover this thrilling and breathtakingly imaginative space opera from the multi-award-winning Claire North, perfect for fans of Ann Leckie, Adrian Tchaikovsky, Iain M. Banks and Arkady Martine. Praise for Claire North: ''North''s talent shines out'' Sunday Times ''North goes from strength to strength'' Guardian ''An original and even dazzling writer'' Kirkus

Oucam-me. Lembrem-se de mim... O meu nome e Hope Arden, sou a rapariga de quem ninguem se lembra. Primeiro esquecem o meu rosto, depois a minha voz e, por fim, as consequencias dos meus atos. Desapareco da memoria sem deixar rasto. Comecou quando tinha 16 anos, um momento de cada vez. O meu pai esqueceu-se de me levar a escola, um professor esqueceu-se que eu era sua aluna, a minha m?e colocou mesa para tres, em vez de quatro. Um amigo olhou para mim e so viu uma estranha. Por mais que eu tente, por mais pessoas que magoe ou crimes que cometa, nunca se lembram de mim. E isso torna-me unica... e particularmente perigosa. Esta e a historia de Hope Arden, a rapariga que todos esqueceram. Uma saga de amor, esperanca, desespero e ansia de viver o momento e deixar uma marca na vida.

Harry August ligger på sit dødsleje. Igen! For hver gang Harry August dør, fødes han på ny som sig selv – altid af den samme mor og på samme tid og sted: på togstationen i Berwick-upon-Tweed, nytårsaften, 1918. Efter de første to, forvirrede liv, begynder han at forstå sin situation: Han er dømt til at fødes i cyklisk gentagelse og gennemleve det 20. århundrede om og om igen. Det giver indlysende visse problemer: Hvad mening giver tilværelsen i en evindelig ring af gentagelser? Kan man elske – igen og igen? Hvad med venskab? Men det giver tilsvarende indlysende muligheder: Bør man søge at ændre nutiden, hvis man kender fremtiden? Og mod hvilket mål? Da han for ellevte gang ligger på sit dødsleje, bliver han opsøgt af en lille pige, der overbringer ham en besked, der er gået fra generation til generation ned gennem tiden: Verden går under – men hurtigere, end det var meningen. Og pludselig begynder historien, som vi kender den, at ændre sig. Det 20. århundrede er slået ud af kurs. Og kun Harry kan få tiden – og historien – på rette spor ... Pressen skriver: »Spændende og tankevækkende på én gang.« **** – Hans Bjerregaard, Ekstra Bladet

Werde Zeuge eines unglaublichen Spiels um Macht und Einfluss! Venedig in der Renaissance: Die junge Thene führt eine unglückliche, arrangierte Ehe. Doch im Spielhaus erweist sie sich als geschickte Spielerin. Bald wird sie in ein ebenso reizvolles wie grausames Ränkespiel verwickelt: Die Spielfiguren sind echte Menschen, und es geht auf Leben und Tod. DER SPIELHAUS-ZYKLUS Das Spielhaus existiert jenseits von Raum und Zeit. Eingeweihte spielen hier um die wirklich interessanten Gewinne: die Macht über ganze Reiche, Einfluss, sogar Lebensjahre. Legendäre Spieler können so den Jahrhunderten trotzen. Doch je höher der Einsatz, desto tödlicher die Regeln ... In drei Novellen entführt Claire North uns in die faszinierende, Kontinente und Jahrhunderte umspannende Welt des Spielhauses. Jetzt als eBook bei Bastei Entertainment!

Harry August gaat dood. Keer op keer. Wat hij ook doet of besluit, telkens keert hij terug in hetzelfde leven, in hetzelfde jaar, op dezelfde plek. Maar mét de kennis uit zijn vorige levens. Toch verloopt niets anders. Dan staat er, aan het einde van zijn elfde leven, een klein meisje bij zijn sterfbed. Zij roept zijn hulp in om de wereld te redden. Inmiddels weet hij dat er meer zijn zoals hij. Terwijl de meesten hun kennis gebruiken om een lekker leven te leiden, is er een die zijn kennis te gelde maakt waardoor de wereld zich te snel vernieuwt en het natuurlijke evenwicht wordt verstoord. Dat zal uiteindelijk de ondergang betekenen. Alleen Harry kan hem tegenhouden. Als hij hem vindt. Als hij op tijd komt. Voor fans van David Mitchell Off the record Als een rechtenmanager me een manuscript stuurt en ergens onderin staat: in de lijn van o.a. David Mitchell, dan denk ik meteen: lijkt me sterk. Maar deze vrouw kent ons goed, dus toch maar meteen lezen. En al op de eerste bladzijde voelde ik dat het goed was. Susanne, elders in de stad, las mee en algauw zaten we het hele weekend heen en weer te smsen tot we uiteindelijk maar belden. Meteen een bod gedaan en proberen uit te vissen wie de schrijfster was. En was het wel een vrouw? Het is nog steeds niet helemaal duidelijk. LP

«Sublime.» Hannah Lynn, autrice di Il segreto di Medusa A mantenere sul trono di Itaca la regina Penelope è un delicato equilibrio di potere. Sono trascorsi anni da quando il suo sposo, il nobile Odisseo, è salpato verso Troia. E, in quell’assenza, Penelope è dovuta ricorrere a tutto il suo ingegno per frenare i pretendenti e assicurare la pace. Una pace che è nuovamente minacciata con l’arrivo sulle coste dell’isola della nave del re di Micene, Oreste. Figlio del defunto re Agamennone, l’uomo è preda della follia. Incubi e visioni lo tormentano, e il più orrendo e spietato dei sensi di colpa lo perseguita. Ma un re non può mostrarsi debole. E così sua sorella Elettra, nel tentativo di proteggerlo, l’ha condotto a Itaca, per implorare protezione alla regina. Prima ancora di aver maturato una decisione, Penelope si trova ad accogliere una delegazione da Sparta: Menelao, fratello di Agamennone e zio di Oreste, desidera liberarsi del nipote ed espandere i suoi domini anche su Micene. Ha già dimostrato in passato di non avere scrupoli e non avrà pietà per chiunque provi a opporsi. Schiacciata tra le pressioni di Micene e Sparta, Penelope dovrà riuscire a salvaguardare la pace precaria di Itaca. In un mondo in cui gli uomini non smettono di farsi la guerra, le sue uniche alleate saranno Elettra, determinata a proteggere il fratello, ed Elena, regina di Sparta. Dalla pluripremiata autrice del bestseller Il mistero di Penelope, il secondo capitolo della Saga di Itaca Penelope, Elettra, Elena: tre donne unite dalla guerra che lottano per la pace «Una voce nitida e potente.» Jennifer Saint «Il talento di questa autrice risplende.» Sunday Times «I libri di Claire North sono uno più bello dell’altro.» The Guardian «Una scrittrice piena di talento e originalità.» Kirkus Reviews «Poetico. Un omaggio appassionato a tutte le donne private di voce e diritti nell’antica Grecia.» Booklist Claire North È lo pseudonimo con cui Catherine Webb, autrice bestseller internazionale, firma alcuni romanzi. Dopo un incredibile esordio all’età di soli quattordici anni, non ha mai smesso di pubblicare libri di successo. Ha vinto i prestigiosi premi letterari World Fantasy Award e John W. Campbell Memorial Award. La Newton Compton ha pubblicato Il mistero di Penelope e La scelta di Penelope, i primi volumi della Saga di Itaca.

Os homens vão para a guerra e os planos dos deuses e as escolhas de uma rainha mudarão o curso do mundo nesta poderosa sequência de Ítaca da autora multipremiada Claire North. Na ilha de Ítaca, a rainha Penélope mantém um delicado equilíbrio de poder. Muitos anos atrás, seu marido, Odisseu, partiu para a guerra contra Tróia e nunca voltou para casa. Na ausência dele, Penélope usa toda a sua astúcia para manter a paz — uma paz que é quebrada pelo retorno de Orestes, rei de Micenas, e sua irmã Electra. As mãos de Orestes estão sujas com o sangue de sua mãe. Não faz muito tempo, o filho de Agamêmnon tirou a vida da rainha Clitemnestra nas areias de Ítaca. Agora, atormentado pela culpa, ele está lentamente perdendo a cabeça. Penélope sabe que a destruição seguirá seu rastro tão certo quanto as Fúrias a cercam. Seu tio, Menelau, o rei de Esparta faminto por batalhas, anseia pelo trono de Orestes — e, se ele puder tomá-lo, ninguém estará a salvo de seus caprichos violentos. Presa entre dois reis loucos, Penélope luta para manter a guerra longe do litoral de Ítaca. Seus únicos aliados são Electra e a distante e enigmática esposa de Menelau, Helena de Tróia. E, cuidando de todas elas, está a deusa Afrodite, que tem seus próprios planos. Cada mulher tem um segredo. E seus segredos moldarão o mundo.

A autora multipremiada Claire North oferece uma releitura ousada que dá nova vida a um mito antigo e dá voz para as mulheres que se mantém desafiadoras em um mundo governado por homens implacáveis. É o momento de as mulheres de Ítaca contarem sua história. “O maior poder que nós mulheres podemos ter é aquilo que tomamos em segredo.” Há dezessete anos, o rei Odisseu navegou rumo à guerra contra Troia, levando consigo todos os homens com idade para lutar da ilha de Ítaca. Nenhum deles retornou, e as mulheres de Ítaca foram deixadas para trás para administrar o reino. Penélope mal tinha se tornado mulher quando se casou com Odisseu. Enquanto ele estava vivo, a posição dela estava assegurada. Agora, porém, anos depois, aumentam as especulações de que o marido está morto, e pretendentes estão começando a bater à porta dela. Nenhum homem é forte o suficiente para reivindicar o trono vago de Odisseu — ainda não. Mas, enquanto todos esperam por uma mudança no equilíbrio de poder, Penélope sabe que qualquer escolha que faça poderia mergulhar Ítaca em uma sangrenta guerra civil. Esta é a história de Penélope de Ítaca, a famosa esposa de Odisseu, como nunca havia sido contada antes. Além das costas de Ítaca, os caprichos dos deuses ditam as guerras dos homens. Contudo, na ilha, são as escolhas das mulheres deixadas para trás – e de suas deusas – que mudarão o destino do mundo.