Regular price €16.99
A01=Darren Simpson
adventure with danger
ancient curse
ancient rituals
atmospheric adventure
Author_Darren Simpson
British folklore for kids
Category=YFB
Category=YFHH
Category=YFHT
children's fantasy
chilling fantasy
chilling mystery
coming-of-age
cursed river
cursed town
dark and lyrical tale
dark fantasy for kids
dark middle grade
eerie adventure
eq_bestseller
eq_childrens
eq_isMigrated=1
eq_isMigrated=2
eq_new_release
eq_nobargain
eq_teenage-young-adult
evil town
fantasy folklore adventure
fantasy for ages 10 to 14
fantasy horror
fantasy with moral choices
folklore for children
good vs evil
haunting adventure
magical realism
middle grade mystery
Midsommar
monster
moral and emotional depth
mysterious children's fantasy
mysterious village story
myth and magic
nature and myth
river legend
river magic
rural folklore
rural myth
sacrifice
sacrifice and superstition
scary fantasy
scary teen novel
scary woods
secret society
small town mystery
spooky teen novel
story about ancient traditions
story about belief and truth
story about courage
story about courage and sacrifice
story about friendship and fear
story of bravery and truth
story of discovery
suspenseful children's story
Teen horror
thrilling children's book

Product details

  • ISBN 9781782695721
  • Dimensions: 129 x 198mm
  • Publication Date: 11 Sep 2025
  • Publisher: Pushkin Press
  • Publication City/Country: GB
  • Product Form: Paperback
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'Gripping, gruesome, dark and dripping' A.F. Harold

Nobody talks about the strange happenings in Maimsbury. No one speaks of the hooded figures glimpsed in the woods, nor the children's game that went so horribly wrong. But most of all, nobody dares whisper their doubts about the river they have worshipped for centuries.

Like everyone in Maimsbury, Gorse is used to the sacrifices made every spring to the River Yeelde. The life of a farm animal - in return for a year of plenty - seems a fair trade. That is, until a tragedy leads Gorse to a blood-curdling discovery.

Because this year is a Brim Year, and after giving so much, the river needs more than an animal's life to sate its thirst...

PRAISE FOR THIRST:

'A gripping tale infused with dark secrets and superstitions' Phil Hickes, author of The Haunting of Aveline Jones

'What a story! Properly creepy Wicker Man vibes with seemingly effortless world building and characters you'll take to your heart. Loved it' Jennifer Killick, author of Crater Laker

'This gruesomely imagined folk horror is the most brilliantly dark and dangerously fun book I've read all year' Keith Gray, author of Creepers

Darren Simpson is the critically acclaimed author of Scavengers, The Memory Thieves, Furthermoor and Thirst. His award-winning books have been translated into several languages and he's been nominated twice for the prestigious Carnegie Medal. He also once won a budgie at school. Darren lives with his wife and sons in Nottingham and loves long walks with headphones, playing the drums and reading in bed on rainy Sunday mornings.