Uki and the Outcasts

From bestselling author and winner of the Blue Peter Best Story Book Award, Uki and the Outcasts is the first in a new trilogy set in the world of Podkin One-Ear. 'EXCELLENT,' says the bard. 'It's probably a good idea for you to know about him.' 'Wait . . . him? Who's him?' said Rue. 'Uki,' says the bard. 'Uki Patchwork. The Magpie Demon. Uki of the Two Furs.' From the Ice Wastes beyond the Cinder Wall emerges an unlikely hero. Rejected by his village and left to die, young Uki is given life and unique powers by a long-buried spirit from the time of the Ancients . . . and a life or death mission. Joined by two other outcasts - a trained assassin who refuses to kill people and a very short rabbit who rides the fastest jerboa on the plains - Uki must capture Valkus, the Spirit of War, before rabbitkind destroys itself in conflict. A thrilling new book set in the Five Realms of Podkin One-Ear. 'Storytelling perfection.'Sophie Anderson 'One of my sons very favourite authors.' Romesh Ranganathan 'Superb.' Max Porter

Kieran Larwood was born in Kenya. He moved to the UK when he was two and lived in various places before settling on the Isle of Wight, where he can still be found: exploring rockpools, climbing trees and writing or drawing! He has done a wide range of jobs, including being an archery instructor and working the night shift in a cake factory (which was nowhere near as much fun as it sounds). He taught in a primary school for fifteen years before becoming a full-time author (and sometimes illustrator) of a series of novels that link across the Five Realms of Lanica. Kieran has won the Blue Peter Best Story and the Prix Sorcières. He is inspired by a life-long love of fantasy stories, which all began when - as a young boy - he picked up a copy of The Hobbit and saw the map inside. It just goes to show - you never know where opening a book will lead . . .