Mia and the Lightcasters
The launch of an outstanding debut fantasy series.
'A fresh, wild, gripping adventure.' Kieran Larwood, author of The Legend of Podkin One-Ear
'A thrilling, highly imaginative and action-packed fantasy.' Louie Stowell, author of Otherland and Loki
'Thrilling . . . a wonderful adventure.' L. D. Lapinski, author of The Strangeworlds Travel Agency
'I absolutely loved it.' Tolá Okogwu, author of Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun
'Pulse-pounding action.' A. F. Steadman, author of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief
Beware of the shadows, the Reaper King is coming . . .
Mia always dreamed of being an umbra tamer until she met the wild creature on the Nightmare Plains. Since that day, she prefers to stay safe within the walls of Nubis. Safe, that is, until a surprise attack. With her parents captured, Mia's only hope is to travel to the City of Light to find help. But with only her little brother, two friends and one solitary tamed umbra, the journey feels impossible. Mia not only has to overcome her fears, she also has to learn to harness her umbra taming abilities if they are to complete the quest in time.
For fans of Amari and the Night Brothers, The Legend of Podkin One-Ear and Nevermoor, this is the first in the sensational Umbra Tales series, illustrated by Ana Latese.
Janelle McCurdy is an author and fully-fledged gamer. Janelle began writing middle-grade fantasy in her teens, and signed a three-book deal in multiple territories for the Umbra Tales series in her early twenties. Her FAB Prize winning story, Mia and the Lightcasters, has gone on to be shortlisted and longlisted for major awards including the Week Junior Book Awards, Branford Boase Award, Diverse Book Awards and Jhalak Prize. In her free time, you can find her holed up in her room, gaming and watching anime or attending numerous comic cons and gaming events.
Ana Latese is an illustrator based in North Carolina. Her passion is to produce beautiful imagery inspired by vibrant colours, the idea of diversity, fashion, beauty and nature. She has illustrated Boys Don't Cry by Malorie Blackman, as well as working with editorial clients including The Washington Post. When she's not illustrating, she enjoys playing video games, bundling up with her dogs and watching Criminal Minds 24/7.