Ironhold is an island where 'industry brings prosperity'. But when Orin Crowfall, a servant boy, learns that his home is in danger, he becomes a target of powerful forces. He escapes with his robot friend, but they face a fight for survival in the stormy ocean, pursued by a sea monster. Will Orin find a way back to save his family?



A rip-roaring, island-hopping adventure - and unforgettable ecological fable - from the award-winning author of Wildspark and Brightstorm. 'Hardy has drunk from the same cup as Philip Reeve and Philip Pullman.' - LITERARY REVIEW Ironhold is an orderly place where "industry brings prosperity", and where nature is pushed aside for progress. But when Orin Crowfall, a lowly servant boy, learns that the island itself is in grave danger, that knowledge makes him a target of powerful forces. He narrowly escapes on a small boat, but then faces a fight for survival with his robot friend, Cody, in the stormy ocean, pursued by a terrifying sea monster. Can they make it to safety, somewhere beyond the horizon? And will Orin find a way back to save his family before everything is destroyed? To succeed, Orin will need to dig deep for courage, trust in new friends, and, ultimately, have faith in himself. This is fantasy adventure at its finest: riotous adventure, memorable characters, incredible world building, and a powerful, thought-provoking message about ecological balance. Perfect for fans of books by Peter Bunzl, Abi Elphinstone, and Alex Bell WILDSPARK was the winner of the Blue Peter Book Award for Best Story 2020, and Vashti Hardy's debut BRIGHTSTORM was selected as the first Booksellers Association Children's Book of the Season, won the West Sussex Children's Story Book Award, was shortlisted for the Books Are My Bag Awards and the Waterstones' Children's Book Prize, and was longlisted for the Blue Peter Book Award