<p><b>The rich and atmospheric new novel from prize-winning author Sally Gardner, set in the 18th century between the two great Frost Fairs.</b></p><p>Neva Friezland is born into a world of trickery and illusion, where fortunes can be won and lost on the turn of a card.</p><p>She is also born with an extraordinary gift. She can predict the weather. In Regency England, where the proper goal for a gentlewoman is marriage and only God knows the weather this is dangerous. It is also potentially very lucrative.</p><p>In order to debate with the men of science and move about freely, Neva adopts a sophisticated male disguise. She foretells the weather from inside an automaton created by her brilliant clockmaker father.</p><p>But what will happen when the disguised Neva falls in love with a charismatic young man?</p><p>It can be very dangerous to be ahead of your time. Especially as a woman.</p><p><b>Praise for Sally Gardner:</b> <br />
'[A] dab hand at literary world-creation' <b><i>The Observer</i></b> <br />
'Rich and haunting historical fiction' <b><i>The Bookseller</i></b> <br />
'A glorious love story, a spellbinding fable' <b>Adele Parks</b> <br />
'A truly original voice' <b><i>Spectator</i></b> <br />
'Sally Gardner has a rare ability to build worlds that are rich, strange and totally unique to her... A story that will enthral you from beginning to end' <b><i>Absolutely South East</i></b></p>
<p>When her parents die in a terrible tragedy, Neva is adopted by an eccentric clock and automata maker who devises a machine to help her when she discovers she has a gift that will prove to be as dangerous as it is desirable: she can predict the weather. Now Neva must find a way to disguise her true identity from those who would destroy her.</p>
<b>PRAISE FOR SALLY GARDNER</b>: <br />
'Sally Gardner has a rare ability to build worlds that are rich, strange and totally unique to her... A story that will enthral you from beginning to end' <i>Absolutely South East (and West)</i>. <br />
'Readers who enjoy puzzles and problem-solving will love this absorbing, mysterious thriller... This riveting and original fantasy will compel you to keep turning just one more page until you find you haven't eaten, slept or moved from your seat for hours. Spectacular' BookTrust, on <i>Invisible in a Bright Light</i>. <br />
'Rich and haunting historical fiction with a charismatic female lead' <i>The Bookseller</i>, on <i>Invisible in a Bright Light</i>. <br />
'The prize-winning Gardner is [a] dab hand at literary world-creation'
Observer
'This wonderful novel, set in 18th-century London, between the two great Frost Fairs on the frozen Thames, interweaves magic and science with the dreams of a young woman ahead of her time and in danger because of it'
Rosie de Courcy, publisher
<p>Multi-award-winning author who has been consistently praised for her world-building and storytelling.</p>
<p>Alongside huge success on the children's side, Sally has written multiple novels for an adult audience, including <i>The Snow Song</i>, which received rave reviews from Simon Mayo and Adele Parks.</p>
<p>Atmospheric and gripping fiction, perfect for fans of fantasy and historical fiction alike.</p>
<p>MARKET: Bridget Collins; Jessie Burton; Cari Thomas; Caroline Lea; Imogen Edwards-Jones.</p>