A Winter's Promise

‘Highly original and intricately imagined, this is world-building on an epic scale.’ * Bookseller UK *‘Fantastic characters and superb world-building…this richly imagined, enthralling fantasy is packed with intrigue and is a perfect choice for readers of Philip Pullman. A cliffhanger at the end will leave readers eagerly awaiting the next instalment of this epic series.’ * Readings *‘The Mirror Visitor stands on the same shelf as Harry Potter.’ * Elle *‘As mesmerising as a waking dream, A Winter’s Promise is certain to ensnare you in its unique, dizzyingly magical world of treachery, illusion, and intrigue.’ * Margaret Rogerson, author of An Enchantment of Ravens *‘A fantastic epic, definitely, but also a coming-of-age novel, this first volume makes a strong impression. A novelist is born.’ * Le Figaro *‘Christelle Dabos impresses in this first novel with the power of her imagination. The architect of a bewitching and complex world, she sustains it with a subtle sense of wonder and elegant, flowing language. From metaphor to metaphor, this addictive and charming novel is also a great coming-of-age story.’ * Télérama *‘With surgical precision, Christelle Dabos has created a hybrid world between fantasy and the Belle Époque.’ * MadmoiZelle *‘Vibrant characters, inventive world-building, and a sophisticated plot.’ * Publishers Weekly (Starred review) *‘Translated from the French, this international bestseller is world-building at its best. The unusual settings, original characters, dark intrigue, and fast-moving plot result in a book that leaves readers eagerly awaiting the next volume. It has great adult crossover as the characters and situations cross age levels.’ * School Library Journal (Starred review) *‘Dabos weaves a story of politics and manipulation in which the stakes are heightened by the fantastical setting…[A WINTER’S PROMISE is] a compelling analysis of society and gives rise to many questions about human nature.’ * ReadPlus *‘Rife with politics and magic, this immersive read introduces readers to a new richly imagined fantasy epic.’ * Readings Best YA Books of 2018 *‘A Winter’s Promise is the kind of book that you simply can’t put down once you pick it up. Dabos has crafted something truly exquisite here – a story so rich and intricate, so full of magic and wonder that it draws you in and spellbinds you immediately.’ * CBCA Reading Time *‘Phenomenal fantasy…sumptuous.’ Best Kids’ * NZ Listener, Books of 2018 *‘Refreshing and intriguingly immersive.’ * Adelaide Advertiser *‘Endlessly fascinating and addictive.’ * Chicago Review of Books, Best Fantasy Books 2018 *‘A smash hit in the French-speaking world—and now we’re lucky enough to have the first book available in English.’ * The Spinoff, Best Kids’ Books 2018 *‘This fabulous newcomer to YA fantasy will appeal to all ages…an action-packed and often surprising story.’ * Herald Sun *‘Entertaining and quite left-field imaginative touches…provide light relief at a number of high tension moments…The first volume [of the series] is intriguing and inventive enough to keep us expectant—even mildly impatient.’ * Magpies *

Christelle Dabos was born on the Côte d’Azur in 1980 and grew up in a home filled with classical music and games. Her love of fantasy began with the Harry Potter series and she is part of a new generation of young fantasy writers. A Winter’s Promise, Book One in her debut series, The Mirror Visitor, won the Gallimard Jeunesse-RTL-Telerama First Novel Competition, as well as the Grand Prix de l’Imaginaire and is an international success. She now lives in Belgium.